Kemar Roach passes Sir Garry milestone

West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach could not hold back his elation, when the decision review system indicated that England captain Joe Root was hit in front, and was adjudged lbw for a mammoth 153 out of a massive England total of 507 for nine declared on the second day of the second Test in Barbados on Thursday.

That wicket not only broke a 129-run partnership between Root and Ben Stokes, but it took Roach to 236 wickets in Test cricket, and in the process passed Sir Garfield 'Garry' Sobers into seventh place on the all-time list for West Indies.

For Roach, passing Sir Garry is a dream come true, and one that will linger forever in his memory.

"It's amazing," he said after the close of play on Thursday. "It's good to be among the greats and to write my name on the wall above Sir Garry is a fantastic achievement which I am happy for."

It was another tough day in the field for the West Indies with Roach sending down 27 overs and conceding 68 runs and picking up two wickets.

Despite the hard toil, Roach says it was a great reward to achieve the feat on home soil.

"There is no better place to do it," he said. "The Kensington Oval is the home of cricket in the Caribbean they say, so it's good to do it at home, and I am a homeboy, as well as Sir Garry, so it's a good feeling."

Sir Garry was at the Kensington Oval to witness the feat, and Roach says growing up and watching clips of the great man had given him the motivation and drive to aspire to go on and do bigger and better things.

"I have watched clips of him as a boy growing up and he is one of the national heroes of Barbados as well," Roach said. "He is a fantastic role model to follow and he has impacted me in my cricket."