ST JOHN’S – Former West Indies captain Sir Vivian Richards has defended Sir Curtly Ambrose, slamming the reason given for the legendary former pacer’s dismissal as West Indies bowling consultant.
Sir Curtly, who took 405 wickets in a stellar 98-Test career, was last week replaced by former Barbados and West Indies A pacer 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.
“That’s for the academies, in my opinion, and he (Sir Curtly) put it so perfectly 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 told the Observer newspaper.
“The things you can see playing out, looks to me there is a friend and companion sort of environment.”
Sir Viv further contended that the quality of Sir Curtly’s résumé was what was required at the highest level, to enable players to perform at their best. (CMC)
