Roach is keeping pace with legends
BOWLER’S PRIDE AT JOINING GREATEST WINDIES IMPORTS
KEMAR ROACH has revealed his delight at following in the grandest of footsteps in county cricket.
Just like some of the greatest bowlers from the Caribbean who have produced golden moments in the English game, Roach’s 8-40 for Surrey against Hampshire at the weekend set a new bar for the 32-year-old.
He joined an elite club that includes West Indies legends Courtney Walsh, Joel Garner and Malcolm Marshall.
That fearsome bowling trio became synonymous with Gloucestershire, Somerset and Hampshire respectively, the clubs they represented for many years when English cricket had consistent contributions from those Windies greats.
It is a tradition that has waned as West Indies’ fortunes have faltered along with the rise of
T20 leagues elsewhere attracting talent.
Roach was happy to buck the recent trend. “The list of guys who’ve made a big impact from the West Indies is seriously impressive,” he said.
“Malcolm Marshall and Joel Garner are pretty good names to follow as a bowler. It’s amazing what these guys achieved in their time in county cricket and I’m delighted to follow suit.
“Alec Stewart [Surrey’s director of cricket] called me during the last West Indies series and said he was shortlisting me to be Surrey’s overseas player. Of course I was interested. I enjoy playing cricket in England and I’d heard great things about the club.
You always want to bowl here with the swing and seam movement, so it’s no surprise that a lot of great bowlers have done so well when they played county cricket.”
Sadly, some of the uglier opinions on black sportsmen and women have not changed much either. The difference is that much of it has moved online, to the point of last weekend’s social media blackout. Roach’s feat would normally have earned plenty of praise. Not this time.
“My performance was not bigger than the issue at hand,” said Roach, who has played 63 Tests and taken 214 wickets.
“I’m happy no-one posted about it at the weekend. The racial abuse people get on social media is something I’ve been subjected to.
“I’ve been affected by it a lot. There is always some fake account that sends you stuff like that. No name on it, just abuse as they air their views and their opinion on you, and it can be very rude. I try to shut the negativity out.”
He has two more matches left for Surrey after missing this week’s game at Leicestershire with a back niggle, but it is the Middlesex game on May 20 at The Oval where he may finally be able to put on a show for spectators.
You would back him to become an instant favourite.