Stats keep me going, I love to be amongst the greats: Kemar Roach

West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach, after equalling former pacer Michael Holding’s tally of 249 Test wickets, said that stats keeps him going. Roach also shared that he aims to get his 300th wicket in the next two-three years. The 33-year-old got his 249th wicket in the first Test against Bangladesh at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua.

Roach, speaking about equalling Holding’s tally, said that he was a “proud man”, adding that to match one of the legends of the game goes to show he was up there. He added that he wants to keep going and believes that he has got more wickets in him. ”Obviously, he is one of the legends of the game and to equal him just goes to show I am pretty much up there,” said Roach, who was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

Put my name up there and obviously in history: Kemar Roach

Roach admitted that he wanted his name in history and would love to be among the greats. The Barbadian has already had a stellar Test career picking up 249 wickets in 72 matches and 130 innings at an average of 26.81 with 10 five-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket haul. He has also been the pick of the bowlers in the ongoing Test match against Bangladesh, picking up seven wickets for 74 runs in the game, including his five-wicket haul in the third innings.

”Proud man,” said Roach, on equalling Holding’s tally. ‘Stats man, stats (keep me going) and money too but stats definitely keep me going and I love to be amongst the great. Put my name up there and obviously in history and so therefore that what I am going for.”

”300 wickets is something that I will try to get in two-three years,” said Roach. West Indian fast bowling great, Curtly Ambrose also backed Roach to get to the landmark, “He should get 300 Test wickets.” At the moment, only five West Indian bowlers have a better record than Roach, after Courtney Walsh, Curtly Ambrose, Malcolm Marshall, Lance Gibbs, and Joel Garner.