Gareth Manning and Tyrone Reid, Gleaner Reporters
Ambassador Courtney Walsh (second right) is assisted by Mayor of Kingston Desmond McKenzie in unvieling the Courtney Walsh Drive (formerly Derrymore Road ) during the declaration ceremony on Monday. Courtney's mother Joan Wollaston (right) applauds.
COURTNEY WALSH, 'the big man inna cricket', was bowled over after the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) renamed Derrymore Road in his honour on Monday.
The road, home of the prominent Melbourne Cricket Club, is now known as Courtney Walsh Drive. The cricket legend hailed the renaming as one of the most significant accolades he has received to date.
"I'm overwhelmed that this is happening. A lot of stuff has happened to me in the past and this is one that I will never forget," Walsh told The Gleaner prior to the start of the ceremony just outside the Melbourne Cricket Club.
EXPRESSING THANKS
Walsh, who is also president of the Melbourne Cricket Club, expressed thanks to God, his family, the Melbourne Cricket Club and his alma mater Excelsior High for the latest honour bestowed on him.
The former record holder for the highest number of wickets in Test cricket vowed to keep the street free of crime and violence.
He also gave thanks to former Prime Ministers, the late Michael Manley, Edward Seaga and present head of government P.J. Patterson, for their advice and support during his career. He also had special thanks for Councillor Desmond McKenzie, Mayor of Kingston, and Minister of Local Government and Sports, Portia Simpson Miller, for their support.
Jackie Hendriks, president of the Jamaica Cricket Association, commended the KSAC for honouring Walsh. He said the former West Indian fast bowler is a role model for young people in light of the country's spiralling crime and violence.
Former head of the Melbourne Cricket Club, Tony Becca, and Mayor McKenzie also hailed the cricketer for his contribution to cricket over the years.
Becca noted that Walsh was a part of the greatest cricket team of all time. In addition, he said Walsh was the greatest cricketer the Melbourne Club has produced. Walsh has been a member of the Melbourne cricket club for several years.
The mayor also said the renaming of Derrymore Road was the latest leg in the KSAC's bid to pay homage to local heroes.
"We are aware that if we don't pay tribute to our local heroes nobody else will feel the need to do so and we are determined to see that the sung and the unsung get their due reward," the McKenzie said.
Walsh was also honoured in song, dance and poetry pieces by Excelsior High School and the Ashe Ensemble during the ceremony.
Walsh achieved the world record of 519 Test wickets in 2000, when he broke Indian fast bowler Kapil Dev's mark. Shane Warne of Australia now holds the record.
