Kemar Andre Jamal Roach was born on June 30, 1988, in Saint Lucy, Barbados. He grew up in a humble home and played cricket on the streets with his friends. His love for the game started at a very young age. He didn’t come from a rich family, but he always had a big dream to play cricket for West Indies.
He studied at The Lodge School, one of the oldest secondary schools in Barbados. While growing up, he faced tough times. Still, he never gave up on his dream. His fast bowling made him stand out in local matches. His speed, energy, and hard work helped him get noticed by local coaches.
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kemar Andre Jamal Roach |
| Date of Birth | June 30, 1988 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 37 years old |
| Birthplace | Saint Lucy, Barbados |
| Nationality | Barbadian |
| Profession | Cricketer (Fast Bowler) |
| Playing Role | Right-arm fast bowler |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm fast |
| ODI Debut | August 20, 2008 vs Bermuda |
| Test Debut | July 9, 2009 vs Bangladesh |
| T20I Debut | June 20, 2008 vs Australia |
| Teams Played For | West Indies, Barbados, Deccan Chargers, Barbados Tridents, Surrey |
| Jersey Number | 24 (West Indies) |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Girlfriend | Not publicly known |
| Education | The Lodge School, Barbados |
| Favorite Hobby | Fishing, working on cars |
| Current Status (2025) | Active in Test cricket |
| Total Test Wickets (2025) | 270+ |
| Hat-trick in World Cup | Yes (2011 vs Netherlands) |
Kemar Roach’s Professional Cricket Career
Kemar Roach made his first-class debut for Barbados in 2005. People quickly noticed how fast he could bowl. He bowled over 140 km/h, which made batsmen scared of him. His real breakthrough came in 2008, when he played his first international match.
Test Cricket Debut
Kemar played his first Test match on July 9, 2009, against Bangladesh. He impressed everyone with his speed and swing. Later that year, he bowled beautifully against Australia and even broke the finger of batsman Ricky Ponting. This made headlines all over the world.
One Day International (ODI) Debut
He played his first ODI match in August 2008 against Bermuda. He bowled with a lot of fire and took important wickets. His best bowling figures in ODIs came against the Netherlands in the 2011 World Cup, where he took a hat-trick.
T20 Career
Kemar also played T20 matches for the West Indies. While T20 is not his strongest format, he still gave good performances when needed. He played in T20 leagues like the IPL (for Deccan Chargers) and the CPL for Barbados Tridents.
Kemar Roach’s Bowling Style
Kemar Roach is a right-arm fast bowler. In his early days, he used to bowl at 150 km/h. But after some injuries, he became more focused on swing and control. He now bowls with more skill and still gets wickets regularly.
He is known for:
- Late outswingers
- Deadly bouncers
- Reverse swing
- Smart line and length
He became one of the best bowlers for West Indies after 2010. His bowling helped the team win important matches, especially in Test cricket.
Records and Achievements
- Over 270 wickets in Test matches (as of 2025)
- First West Indian to take a hat-trick in a World Cup
- 11 five-wicket hauls in Tests
- Helped West Indies win historic matches like the 2019 win against England at home
- Played over 75 Test matches
He is also the 8th West Indies bowler to take 250+ Test wickets, joining legends like Courtney Walsh and Malcolm Marshall.
Family and Personal Life
Kemar Roach is very close to his family. He was raised by his mother and father in Barbados. His parents supported him even when money was tight. He has siblings, but their names are not public. He often shares photos with his family on social media.
Even after becoming famous, he lives a very simple life. He likes spending time in Barbados, going fishing, and enjoying the beach. He also supports young cricketers in Barbados.
Relationship and Girlfriend
As of 2025, Kemar Roach is not married. He keeps his personal life very private. Some media reports said he had a girlfriend in the past, but her name was never confirmed. He doesn’t talk much about his love life in interviews.
Right now, it seems like he is focusing more on cricket and giving back to his country rather than being in the news for relationships.
Controversies
Kemar Roach is not a player who creates problems. He always plays with a good spirit. Still, there were a few small incidents in his career:
- Verbal clash with Ricky Ponting (2009): When he broke Ponting’s finger with a fast ball, some words were exchanged. But it didn’t become a big issue.
- Aggressive celebrations: Some critics said he celebrated too loudly after taking wickets, especially during the 2019 England series. But most fans loved his energy.
- On-field sledging: Like many fast bowlers, he sometimes uses words to disturb batsmen, but he stays within the rules.
Overall, Kemar is known as a disciplined and focused cricketer.
Life Outside Cricket
Kemar Roach is more than just a cricketer. He helps young players in Barbados by coaching and mentoring them. He also supports cricket development programs for kids. In interviews, he says that giving back to the community is his biggest joy.
He also has a love for cars and fishing. When he’s not playing, you might find him relaxing near the sea or working on his car. He lives a low-key life and doesn’t chase fame.
Legacy and Impact
Kemar Roach is one of the best fast bowlers to come from the West Indies in the modern era. When people talk about great bowlers after 2000, his name is always on the list. He followed in the footsteps of legends like Curtly Ambrose and Joel Garner.
He never gave up, even when injuries slowed him down. His comeback story, especially from 2016 to 2020, was truly inspiring. He changed his bowling style and still became successful.
Young players across the Caribbean look up to him. He is a hero in Barbados and a role model in West Indies cricket.
Kemar Roach in 2025
In 2025, Kemar Roach continues to play Test cricket. He still leads the West Indies bowling attack and is respected by both teammates and opponents. Even though younger bowlers are coming up, Kemar’s experience is very important.
He has not announced retirement and says he wants to play as long as he can help his team. He is also thinking about coaching in the future.
