BBC SPORT | Special Events | 2001 | West Indies v South Africa

Caribbean broadcaster Donna Symmonds says Courtney Walsh will always be a true West Indian legend - whether he hangs up his studs or not.

The final Test match of the West Indies-South Africa series at Sabina Park in Jamaica is likely to be Courtney Walsh's last.

That was his announcement before the game.

But there had been widespread reports that both the West Indies Board and Carl Hooper had asked him to reconsider and tour Zimbabwe later in the year.

In post-match interviews, Walsh said Hooper had spoken to him about the upcoming African tour and he said he would think about it.

No-one is surprised.

His performance in the last Test was of the standard expected and given wholeheartedly by Walsh.

At 38 and now having bowled more than 5000 Test overs, he was no passenger in the team, bowling 40 overs in the match, just two less than the leg-spinner Dinanath Ramnarine, and ending with match figures of six for 93.

And he ended the series as the leading wicket taker in the series on either side, finishing with 25 wickets.

Vivian Richards poses with the South Africa team
Vivian Richards described Walsh as "an icon"
Walsh has also been the subject of many tributes over the past year -first when he formed the new, and exclusive, 500-wicket club, and now at what looks likely to be the final part of his career.

The great Sir Vivian Richards, who presented his trophy to the series winners and has captained Walsh on many occasions, was particularly perceptive in his praise.

Sir Viv said Walsh should be regarded as "an icon" of West Indian cricket because he had kept his world class standards at a time when West Indies cricket was at one of its lowest points.

Richards also believed Walsh's 500 Test wickets gave West Indian cricket the recognition and inspiration to youth at a difficult time.

There could have been no greater gesture at the end of the Test when Paul Adams skied a catch to Marlon Samuels at backward point off Mervyn Dillon to give the Windies a win - the whole team headed to fine-leg to embrace Courtney Walsh.

Brian Lara even managed to get the match ball to present to him.

Adam Gilchrist watches Walsh at the crease
Walsh also holds records with the bat
This team knew how much Walsh meant to them and the teams of the past.

And he bows out with some amazing records.

The obvious entry would be his 519 wickets, but he presently also registers the most not outs (61) as well as the highest number of dismissed ducks (43) in Test cricket.

In his gracious way, in his emotional farewell comments, he thanked several people for his success including a number of supreme fast bowlers he played with like Colin Croft, Michael Holding, Curtly Ambrose and, especially, the late Malcolm Marshall.

There is no doubt that he too will receive similar recognition by fast bowlers to come.

As of now, Courtney Walsh is in retirement from Test cricket.

But whether he returns for a final fling is yet to be seen.