BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Nov 13, CMC – West Indies spinner Jomel Warrican has described reaching the milestone of 100 Test wickets as a “special” and “unreal” achievement, one that he hopes will cement the legacy of spin bowling in the Caribbean.
Warrican reached the landmark during the recent Test series against Bangladesh, a campaign in which he was named Player of the Series after claiming 16 wickets across the two matches.
“It still feels unreal, like something you dream of as a spinner playing international cricket for the West Indies,” Warrican said in a recent interview. “You know you have a legacy of pacers, so to achieve 100 Test wickets, I think, as a spinner, is a great achievement personally and also just for spinners in the Caribbean, knowing that there’s a place for us in West Indies cricket.”
The left-arm spinner began the series on 84 wickets and delivered a masterclass in contrasting conditions, highlighting his tactical acumen. He noted the difference between the surfaces in Dhaka and Sylhet.
“In Dhaka, it was a lot easier. The surface gave a lot more assistance, and it was not turning big, but it had a lot of pace in the wicket, so therefore, the variation was more effective,” he explained.
The second Test in Sylhet, however, presented a sterner test. “It was a very good batting track. It was extremely good for batting, so you had to really pull out all the skills and be extremely patient,” Warrican said. “Almost like playing chess, so you had to figure out how to get the batsman out, how to use the wicket to your advantage. I enjoy Sylhet more because it’s more challenging and you have to use your brain a lot more.”
Looking ahead, the Barbadian is not resting on his laurels. He has set a clear, phased plan for his future in the longest format.
“Phase one would be to target Devendra Bishoo first, who has 117. Then, from there, my next objective is 150,” he stated. “And if we go past 150, that’ll be a great achievement.”
When asked to pick his favourite wicket from his century haul, Warrican pointed to a key dismissal in the recent series before recalling a career-defining moment against one of the world’s best.
“Mehidy [Hasan Miraz]. I think the way I dismissed him in the first Test, in both innings, that for me I enjoyed the most throughout the series to get to my 100th Test wicket,” he said.
“Throughout my career? I think Rohit Sharma in Trinidad,” Warrican added. “He’s batting extremely well. In Dominica, he scored 100, and it felt like it was very close to getting him out. I went back home, reflected, and I said, ‘I feel like a hit for him off stump.’ I remember that ball like it was yesterday. In Trinidad at the Oval, when I hit his off-stump, for me, that was a very special moment throughout the 100 Test wickets I have.”
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