Sabina splash by Craig Cozier in Kingston

Courtney Walsh's hometown fans are ready to acclaim a Jamaican world-record holder during the second cricket Test between the West Indies and Zimbabwe at Sabina Park starting here today.

The 37-year-old fast bowler's four victims in the West Indies' victory in the opening Test in Trinidad on Monday pushed him up to 430 wickets, five away from passing Kapil Dev's world Test mark of 434.

'It would be like a holiday, cheers all over, music all over from the boom boxes,'said Vincent Anderson, a 67-year-old retired engineer watching the home team's final preparation at the Kensington Cricket Club here yesterday.

'Everybody will be partying day and night whenever it happens. It will be pandemonium. You will really see Sabina Park on fire,' agreed Justice of the Peace Alphonso Barnes, 46. 'Of course, it is his hometown, and no one else can give him the reception that we will give him here.'

One of the younger fans among dozens watching the team practise, 19-year-old Orville Williams, predicted chaotic scenes should the Kingston-born Walsh achieve the feat.

'It will be pandemonium on the field. A lot of people will be storming the field and, knowing that he deserves it, maybe it will take a while before cricket resumes.'

Pitch invasions are not uncommon in the Caribbean. Last year, hundreds of Jamaicans took to the field on then captain Brian Lara's magnificent double century against Australia that inevitably led to victory.

Jamaicans also swarmed the field 42 years ago to proclaim another world record: Garfield Sobers' marathon unbeaten 365 not out against Pakistan that eclipsed Len Hutton's 364.

Williams, a recent headboy at Excelsior High School, alma mater of Walsh's in the 1980s, said Walsh had always been his hero.

'He's like a father figure, because we as youngsters look up to him to set a great example for us. I'd be the happiest person in the world to know that I am a Jamaican and a Jamaican broke the record,' Williams said.