Carew praises outgoing Jacobs

Primarily a wicketkeeper, Ridley Jacobs often batted his side out of trouble © Getty Images

Joey Carew, the convenor of West Indies' selectors, has paid tribute to their former wicketkeeper, Ridley Jacobs, who recently announced his retirement from international cricket.

Jacobs, now aged 37, was a sprightly 31 when he made his Test debut for West Indies in 1998-99, two years after his first one-dayer, and went on to play in 65 Tests and 147 limited-over internationals. Only Jeff Dujon, among West Indian wicketkeepers, has played more in both forms of the game.

His first experience of Test cricket was a 5-0 whitewash in South Africa, but Jacobs withstood the barrage better than any of his colleagues, and was more or less a permanent fixture for the next six seasons, until a chronic knee injury began to limit his effectiveness.

"It would be remiss of me if I did not place on record the profound appreciation various selection committees have had over the years for the commitment to West Indies cricket and grit he always showed," said Carew, as West Indies prepared to play for pride in the fourth and final Test against South Africa in Antigua.

"I can only hope and pray that some percentage of that kind of commitment, discipline and dedication to the game would be emulated by present and future cricketers in the region."