The first bowler to take 500 wickets in Test cricket was Courtney Walsh of the West Indies. He achieved this historic milestone on March 27, 2001, during a Test match against South Africa at Port of Spain, Trinidad.
🏏 Courtney Walsh's Bowling Milestone:
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Test Wickets: 519 in 132 matches
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Bowling Average: 24.44
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Best Bowling Figures: 7/37
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Test Debut: November 1984 against Australia
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500th Wicket: Jacques Kallis (South Africa) — the iconic dismissal that took him to the landmark.
Significance of the Achievement:
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Walsh's achievement was groundbreaking, as no bowler before him had reached the 500-wicket mark in Test cricket.
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Known for his relentless accuracy, pace, and stamina, Walsh formed a lethal bowling partnership with Curtly Ambrose, terrorizing batsmen worldwide.
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His sportsmanship and humility made him one of the most respected figures in cricket history.
Following Walsh to the 500 Club:
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Shane Warne (Australia) — Second to reach 500 wickets.
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Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) — Holds the record for the most Test wickets (800).
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James Anderson (England) — The leading wicket-taker among fast bowlers with 690+ wickets.
Courtney Walsh's feat was a defining moment in cricket history and remains a testament to his incredible skill and longevity.