It's more than a year since his retirement from Test cricket but Courtney Walsh turned back the clock for a few overs at Wellington Oval yesterday.

The world record-holder for the most Test wickets entertained scores of fans not only with quality pace bowling but also with the on-field antics for which he was almost as well known in his 17-year career.

Packing a few more pounds than when he bowled his last ball in Test cricket against South Africa last year and with his hair greying significantly, the Jamaican and West Indies hero showed he can still make batsmen "smell the leather".

Just ask young Detroy Smith and Oronde Bascome! At just 16 and 14 years-old respectively, they were given the signal honour of opening St. George's reply to the West Indies Select XI's score of 195 in 40 overs.

"I was very nervous because I didn't know how he would bowl to me but after I faced a few balls I was comfortable. I was thinking of all the great batsmen who have faced him and now I'm facing him too," said Bascome who will "never forget" the experience.

Smith was too busy trying to make an impression against the man with 519 Test scalps to be overwhelmed by the moment.

"It was a dream come true - going out there and facing a guy who has 500 Test wickets. I just wanted to hit him to the boundary. I failed but I still had a good time," said Smith who, hauling out to mid-off, was the first of Walsh's two victims.

The teenager's dismissal was full of by-play. Smith had essayed an ambitious extra-cover drive off Walsh the ball before being out. That delivery sizzled past the bat as Walsh jogged up to the youngster, stared him down and flicked up his collar as he turned to go and bowl again. The crowd roared.

Next ball, Walsh produced his famed slower delivery, inducing a fatal lob from Smith. As the latter trudged off the field, the wily veteran posed in mid-pitch, arms folded across his chest. Spectators cheered the class act they had just witnessed.

Following a five-over spell, Walsh - a guest of the West Indian Association for their 25th anniversary celebrations - retreated to the boundaries to field much to the delight of fans who besieged him for autographs and the occasional photo. He was even fed by one group near the scoreboard.

However, with loud chants of "Walsh, Walsh" as the West Indian team took hold of the game with St. George's on 124 for eight with 10 overs left, captain Barry Richards summoned the beanpole bowler for one last blast. What a spectacle!

If he was not running up to batsmen on his follow-through and giving them a look as if to say "See that?", he was sneaking up to eavesdrop on the batsmen's conversation or taking a super-long run-up from the boundary - only to run past the crease without bowling.

That 39-year-old Walsh took the match-ending catch, Gregg Foggo (30) lofting Donovan Livingstone to long-on, was truly fitting for he was the star attraction - eight overs, three maidens, two for 20. St. George's all out for 166 in 36.3 overs.

"I enjoyed the game. It was really good. It was great winning the (Courtney Walsh Unity) Shield for the first time and it was a pleasure playing with Courtney Walsh. It was unbelievable being on the field with such a legend," declared skipper Richards.

Vice-President of the West Indian Association Philippa Burke said the organisation was "very pleased" with the match.

"Having ambassador Courtney Walsh grace us with his presence was a treat. I am also happy that the West Indian combined team won the Shield first. Next year perhaps we won't mind if it goes to another team but we are glad it's initially with us," she said.