The West Indies tour of Zimbabwe has been successful for Guyanese players after Gudakesh Motie wrote his name into the record books on the opening day of the second Test.
The left-arm spinner, who is playing in his third Test bagged career-best figures of 7-37 in 14.5 overs as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 115. The West Indies in reply were 134-4 a lead of 18 with six wickets in hand heading into day two.
Motie’s innings haul, follows his previous best in Tests (4-50) in the previous match where his countryman, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, scored his maiden century (207 not out).
The 27-year-old recorded the best bowling figures by a West Indian against Zimbabwe surpassing Shane Shillingford’s 6-49 and the 13th overall best bowling innings by a West Indian which is led by Jack Noreiga who took 9-95 against India in 1971.
It is also the fourth among Guyanese behind Colin Croft (8-29), Lance Gibbs (8-38) and his Albion Community Centre Cricket Club mate, Devindra Bishoo (8-49). It is also the third best by a West Indies spinner in an away Test following Bishoo and Alf Vanentine (8-104).
“It’s a really great feeling, I didn’t know it was a record until they told me,” Motie said during the post day conference.
He added, “I really enjoyed it, it was similar conditions, so I just put the ball in the right areas and read from then. It means a lot to me; I’ve worked really hard coming through and I’m really happy.”
Motie noted, “It’s a different pitch from the first test, it offers more for the spinners, once you get the ball in the right area and apply the pressure you will get through. The pitch was doing a lot from outside off for left-handers, so I thought we had a chance. I think the plan is just to bat and bat long and put on a big first-innings total.”
