Courtney Walsh is a man apart in the world of fast bowling.

At the age of 38, the lion-hearted West Indian is on the brink of an historic Test cricket landmark.

Walsh goes into the five-Test series against South Africa starling here next week needing just six wickets to become the first player Io lake 500 in Tests.

I he Jamaican s current haul of 491 from 127 Tests represents an outstanding feat of immense skill, stamina and resolve at a lime when the volume of Test cricket being played is lar greater (han al any period in (he game's history.

Moreover, during the last five years the indefatigable Walsh has carried the West Indian attack with Curik Ambrose, who was his trusty ally until the great Antiguan retired al the end of (he series in England Iasi September.

Walsh has shouldered his part of the burden in uncomplaining fashion, as well as taking on the responsibility of captaining the side in 1991 and 1996-97 and continuing to play for English county Gloucestershire until 1998.

Throughout this phase, the skills he learned in his native Ja-

maica. which were developed in England and honed to perfection on I est grounds around the world, remained undiminished.

Walsh has always been a thinking cricketer, as he showed in the way he adjusted to bowling in English conditions.

COURTNEY WALSH

His 1984 county debut season, restricted by West Indies’ tour of England, brought 18 wickets at an expensive 34.55 each but 12 months later he was savouring a haul of 82 county championship wickets at a mere 19.95.

Walsh, though certainly quick, has never generated pace in the manner of compatriot Michael

Holding, with whom his Test career overlapped in the mid-1980s.

Supple, with a high anion. Walsh achieves disconcertingly awkward bounce, while his variations in pace and length have brought about the downfall of many batsmen.

What makes Walsh stand apart from his peers is his fitness record. The fact he sutlers few injuries has been a key element in the durability that has taken him past some significant milestones.

He became West Indies leading Test wicket-taker by’ passing Malcolm Marshall's mark of 376 in November 1998. then joined Kapil Dev and Sir Richard Hadlee in March 1999 as the only bowlers to take 400 Test wickets.

On March 27 last year, in the second fest against Zimbabwe at his beloved Sabina Park in Kingston. Jamaica. Walsh became the leading wicket-taker in Tests by passing Kapil’s record of 434.

Ihe prospect of crowning his outstanding career by reaching (lie •Ou m.uk has itlm'»s| iiiiumR ihi\< ii Walsh beyond the point at which he might otherwise haw retired.

Ai a time when West Indies cricket is al a low ebb, Walsh s arrival at that milestone would be a welcome source ol great pride and joy to the passionate cricket followers of the Caribbean