Outspoken former West Indies captain Sir Vivian Richards has come out “batting” for Sir Curtly Ambrose, who was axed as a bowling consultant for the upcoming Tri-nation series against the West Indies starting next week in the Caribbean.
Sir Viv slammed the reason given for the legendary former pacer’s dismissal by the West Indies selectors.
Sir Curtly, who took 405 wickets in his 98 Test career, was recently replaced by former Barbados and West Indies medium pace bowler, Roddy Estwick, after three years in the post.
The Antiguan said he was told by head coach Phil Simmons that while he had done a good job, a more technical approach was required, but Sir Viv disagreed with this view saying “that’s for the academies, in my opinion, Curtly was right when he said that if you are going to need all this technical help later on when you are part of the senior team, it means that something is wrong and it’s quite mind-boggling.”
Sir Viv, who never lost a series as captain, further contended that the quality of Sir Curtly’s resume was what was required at the highest level, to enable players to perform at the best.
He played 121 Tests, striking 8540 runs at an average of 50, and is widely considered to be the finest batsman of his era.
