Kemar Roach saviours special milestone as West Indies thrash Sri Lanka in first Test

The 38-year-old fast bowler Roach joins Windies greats Courtney Walsh, Curtly Ambrose and Malcolm Marshall as well as Lance Gibbs to reach the 300-wicket landmark.

Roach paid tribute to his captain Roston Chase, coach and former team-mate Daren Sammy, and the West Indies team physio Denis Byam as the paceman had battled injuries over the last few years.

"It's been a long journey, man," Roach reflected. "I'm happy the guys won the game, that's the most important thing. I think the win is what we needed to get ourselves on the (World Test) Championship table.

"So, well done to the team, Roston Chase on his first win as captain. Sammy on his first win as well as coach. But, you know what, it's been a long journey. It took a lot to be here. I want to be here for all these guys, everyone supporting me, especially Denis Byam.

"I want to mention Denis Byam immensely. He's the team physio and we've had countless conversations for the last couple of weeks. Obviously coming back from injury, a lot of work had to be done to get myself out here to play this Test match.

"He was phenomenal, man. All my family, I know my mum is watching, she's proud. My kids, all my friends at home. I know everyone's watching now, just this day today. I want to thank all the Antigua fans for coming out and supporting the team."

While Roach was tight-lipped about his Test future, Sammy felt that the former still has a role to play as the frontman of the attack.

"I could get things wrong as well. But his planning and to see Kemar achieve what he did there, I'm happy for him and I'm proud of him and I know he still has a lot to offer," Sammy said.

"He's proving to me and he's proving to everyone that he's still a fierce competitor in the Test arena."

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