The West Indian became the first bowler to reach the magical figure on Monday when he trapped South Africa's Jacques Kallis lbw during the second Test in Trinidad.

Former West Indies Test great Colin Croft was overjoyed at the Jamaican's achievements and expressed his compliments to BBC Five Live.

"This is a tremendous performance by a really whole-hearted hero of West Indian cricket," Croft said just minutes after Walsh's celebrations had died down.

Compliments from Government

"He is not bowling as fast as he used to but he is still coming in at 75 to 85 miles per hour.

"This is a guy who's been bowling fast for 17 years. I think that him bowling at all is a marvel."

Former England batsman Allan Lamb who had often suffered at the hands of the bowler expressed his views on Walsh's phenomenal efforts.

"I think it's absolutely fantastic. I just can't see too many bowlers on the horizon surpassing his achievement," Lamb said.

"He's still going strong. He's not as quick as he was but the secret is he has stayed fit.

"I can't ever remember him pulling out of a match with an injury. He has just kept going.

"The remarkable thing is, he's got so many wickets at first class level with Gloucestershire, as well as in the Tests.

"He varies his pace and bowls wide of the crease and puts the ball in the right place. As a batsman you are always battling to get runs off him."