By Anthony Foster, Gleaner Writer
Ambrose
RETIRED WEST Indies fastbowler, Curtly Ambrose, has promised that he will help to produce at least two good fast bowlers for the struggling regional team.
"I have always said that in a few years I am going to produce at least two good fast bowlers for the West Indies," Ambrose told The Gleaner in an interview while attending the recent WICB level II coaching course at Sabina Park.
"It's going to take some time and work," he noted.
The lanky Test great said there are a great deal of talent in the region but they were not coming through as fast as expected.
"We are struggling, but to me it's not a lack of talent. There are just some missing ingredients, but I can not put my finger on it just yet," said Ambrose.
"I am sure one day we will find a few fast bowlers, who can really take us back to the top of the tree. Bowlers win matches, if you cannot bowl out teams twice you are not going to win," Ambrose said.
He added that the bowlers are trying too hard and straying away from the basics.
"Fast bowling is a simple thing. Physically it is demanding, but you have to stick to the basics, keep it simple," he explained.
PROPER LINE AND LENGTH
"As long as you can bowl a proper line and length, you will get wickets, I think the bowlers now are trying too many things. During an over they want to try four, five different deliveries, it doesn't work like that, you have to stick to a plan, and that you have to do."
Ambrose does not see himself as a future coach of the regional team.
"I don't think I am really cut out to be a full time coach, what I can say though, anytime the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) needs some assistance in the fast bowling department, I will always be willing to help. It is our cricket, but as a full time coach, I don't think I am cut out for that."
The 39-year-old Ambrose, who retired after 98 Test matches with 405 wickets at an average of 20.99 said one of the main reasons he did the course (WICB coaching) was to broaden his knowledge on all aspects of the game.
"Cricket is not just about fast bowling, and the more I can learn, the more I will be able to impart to other players, and not just fast bowlers"
Ambrose is currently employed in the Ministry of Sports in Antigua and Barbuda and said he is currently working as the country's national fast bowling coach.
"My main job is to try and find some good fast bowlers, so I go around the country looking for that type of talent, get them together and train them. We are trying to develop some fast bowlers, because we do need some in the Caribbean," the man who was once rated the world's best bowler said.
