Tym Glaser Tym Glaser
JAMAICA'S COURTNEY Walsh is no longer the sole member of one of the sporting world's most exclusive clubs.
Yesterday the controversial but brilliant Australian legspinner Shane Warne joined him in the Society of 500 Test wickets. They will soon be joined by a third, Sri Lankan offspinner Muttiah Muralitharan - but we won't go there just yet for various reasons.
Within the next few months, Walsh's world record will be broken by one or the other of those slow bowlers - and good to them, but just because Walsh's 519 Test scalps will be passed should not under rate one of the all-time great Test bowling careers.
ANNIVERSARY
Currently, we are swimming in the 75th anniversary of West Indian Test cricket and are being asked through a well-organised campaign, of which this paper is part, to name the best five West Indian players of all-time.
However, before we reach that lofty plain each territory must select its five best.
On most "expert" Jamaican lists, the name Walsh appears regularly but his chances of making the Top Five West Indians roster appear minimal.
Why? Because he was not brilliant, just extremely good.
Why else? Because the West Indian cricket tapestry is so finely woven by supreme performers that being great is not enough, you have to be superb.
POST-CAREER HONOURS
I'm pretty sure our 'Cuddy' doesn't really care about post-career honours; it's not his style - but when his Test wicket record is broken sooner than later let us not forget that a spinner will take his crown and another will pass him soon after.
However, in his craft of pace bowling nobody is nearby and will not be for a long, long time - if ever.
Sure more cricket is played nowadays but the burn-out factor in the game is becoming more and more prevalent with quicks. Just look at the Aussies with Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie frequently sidelined.
When Walsh's record falls, we should not begrudge Warne or 'Murali' as the playing field between twirlers and pacers is not the same.
We should congratulate the next champion and continue to recognise the sublime greatness within our midst.
