When the World talks about cricket in the 1960’s to 1980’s, it talks about the West Indies. West Indies was the most brutal team during that period. This generation reviews the nation as the one with a lot of firepower and T20 talent which is unaware of the heroics of the team five decades ago. The fast bowlers of the Nation used to rule the world with their ruthless yet genuine pace. The golden time of the team was under the leadership of Clive Lloyd which involved consecutive World Cup wins in 1975 and 1979. Their bowling was the strength and, in this article, we look at the top wicket-takers for the West Indies in the longest format.
1. Courtney Walsh
Courtney Walsh was a former right-arm fast bowler for West Indies who was born in Kingston in 1962. He was a phenomenal bowler with an unbreakable spirit who could bowl long spells easily. He made his test debut against Australia in 1984 and went on to play 132 test matches. The fast bowler bowled 1144 maidens in his test career. His best bowling figures in an innings were 7/37 bowled 0ver 30000 balls in his career. He ended his career with 519 test wickets which is the most by a West Indian Bowler. The bowler also has 22 five-wicket hauls to his name.
2. Curtly Ambrose
Born in 1963, Curtly Ambrose was a right-arm fast bowler and the most lethal one of his generation. The 6ft 7in tall bowler would jump and release the ball from a height of 10ft making it very difficult for the batter to even judge the ball. He made his test debut against Pakistan in 1988 and became a key factor in the team. In his twelve-year career, he scalped massive 405 wickets with best figures of 8/45. He bowled 3863.5 overs which included 1001 maidens and ended his career with 22 five-wicket hauls.
3. Malcolm Marshall
Born in Barbados in 1958, Malcolm Marshall was the shortest but the fastest in the West Indies bowling line-up. He made his test debut against India in 1978. The bowler could swing the ball both ways from the same angle at a genuine pace, making life difficult for the batters. In 81 matches, he scalped 376 wickets and bowled 614 maidens. His best figures in an innings were 7/22 and ended his career with 22 five-wicket hauls.
4. Lancelot Gibbs
Lance Gibbs or Lancelot Gibbs was a right-arm off-break bowler born in Queenstown in 1934. With his long fingers, he defined spin and bounce with high accuracy. The bowler made his test debut against Pakistan in 1958. The bowler was also a cousin of Courtney Walsh. He took 18 five-wicket hauls in his career and bowled 1313 maidens. In the era when the West Indian fast bowlers were ruling the world, Gibbs was making headlines with his off-breaks. He ended his 18-year-long career in 1976 with 309 wickets.
5. Kemar Roach
Kemar Roach is a right-arm medium-fast bowler who was born in Barbados in 1988. The bowler is currently a strike pacer for the West Indies in the Test format. What stands out is his longevity after he made his debut in 2009 against Bangladesh. He has taken 11 fifers and has bowled 519 maidens. His best figures in an innings are 6/48. Not much tall, the bowler generates pace and bowls natural out-swing with his quick arm action.
6. Joel Garner
Joel Garner was a former right-arm fast bowler who was born in Barbados in 1952. He made his test debut against Pakistan in 1977. Known as the “Big Bird,” the batters feared the 6ft 8in taller fast bowler. He bowled 2194.5 overs and 13169 balls in his career. His best figures were 6/56 in an innings. He ended his 10-year-long career in 1987 with 259 wickets. He also has 7 five-wicket hauls to his name.
7. Michael Holding
Michael Holding was one of the fast bowlers in the West Indies who had an elegantly long run-up. The bowler would run toward the batsman with the ball in hand and look like a man on a mission to hunt the batter down. He made his test debut against Australia at the Gabba in 1975. In his 12-year-long career, the bowler bowled 12680 balls, 459 maiden overs, and scalped 249 wickets. His economy rate was as low as 2.79 and his best bowling spell was of 8/92 in an innings. He took retirement from cricket in 1987.
8. Garry Sobers
A true cricketing genius who excelled in every department. He was a justified left-handed batter but what amazed everyone was his skill to bowl medium, wrist spin, and orthodox spin. The player had a versatile skillset as a bowler which allowed him to take on any batsman. He made his international debut against England in 1954 and was a regular inclusion in the squad. In his 20-year-long career, he took 235 wickets with best figures of 6/73 in an innings. His heroics earned him the name, “Sir Garry Sobers.”
9. Anderson Roberts
Popularly known as “Sir Andy Roberts,” the right-arm fast bowler from Antigua was born in 1951. He made his test debut against England in 1974 at the Kensington Oval. He played 47 test matches and bowled 11135 balls in which he took 202 wickets. His best bowling figures were 7/54 in an innings. The bowler was the first player from Antigua to play a test match for the West Indies. With his broad shoulders, he had a rhythmic run-up which allowed him to bowl with accuracy.
10. Wesley Hall
Popularly known as “Sir Wes Hall,” the right-arm fast bowler was born in Barbados in 1937. In the 1957-58 series against India and Pakistan, the bowler scalped 46 wickets and shone brightly. He played his debut match against India in 1958. In his 11-year -long career, he took 192 wickets and bowled 10421 balls including 312 maiden overs. He also had 9 five-wicket hauls in his career which ended in 1969.
