Kemar Roach became the oldest West Indies bowler to take a Test five-wicket-haul since Courtney Walsh in 2000, taking 5-78 against New Zealand on his return to the side.
Roach struck early in the morning on day four of the match, dismissing Will Young for 23. New Zealand had already scored 448 runs in their second innings, thanks to big hundreds from Rachin Ravindra and Tom Latham, and were looking to set the West Indies a huge chase. Roach then made it three wickets in consecutive overs, finding Matt Henry's outside edge before taking a catch off his own bowling to dismiss Jacob Duffy and trigger the declaration.
It was Roach's 12 five-for in Test match cricket, and moved him ahead of Andy Roberts on the all-time list for West Indies, and equal with Fidel Edwards. The match is also Roach's first since he was recalled to the side. He last played a Test in January in Multan, before Cricket West Indies left him off their central contracts list, clarifying that he was in discussions with the board regarding a playing and coaching/mentorship role.
Roach was then left out of the West Indies Test squad for their home series against Australia, and did not feature in their series in India. However, both Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph are missing for the series in New Zealand due to injuries, paving the way for Roach's recall to balance out an inexperienced pace attack.
Roach becomes oldest West Indies' pacer to take five-for since Walsh
At 37 years and 155 days old, Roach has become the oldest West Indies pacer to take five wickets in a Test innings since Courtney Walsh in 2001. Walsh took 6-61 against South Africa when he was 38 years and 138 days old, which is the overall West Indies record for a pace bowler. Lance Gibbs holds the national record for any bowler, with the off-spinner having taken 5-102 against Australia in 1975 at the age of 41.
Roach is fifth on the overall Test wickets list for West Indies (291), 18 behind Gibbs (309), with Walsh way out in front on 519.
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