Disappointed but confident: Dr Sir Curtly believes Falcons will get better following lukewarm CPL debut

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Dr. Sir Curtly Ambrose on the training ground with the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons.
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By Neto Baptiste

Assistant coach of the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons and former West Indies fast bowler, Dr Sir Curtly Ambrose, has labelled the performance of the Antigua and Barbuda Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchise ‘disappointing’, but is confident things will improve moving forward.

The Falcons finished fifth on the six-team standings with six points after three wins and seven losses in their debut tournament.

“Head coach Chanderpaul, myself and Wilden Cornwall, or Polo — as the coaches — we were very disappointed with the outcome, but having said that, no team really tore us apart per sé. We had some close games that we should have won but ended up losing, but no team really tore us apart and embarrassed us. It was the first time with a bunch of youngsters who are learning and when you look at our team, we don’t have no big set of superstars and I don’t mind that but, like I said, that element of luck that every team needs, we didn’t get it or else we could have qualified and who knows what could have happened,” he said.

One of the few bright sparks for the Falcons in the tournament, was 17-year-old Antiguan and West Indies Under-19 batter Jewel Andrew, who scored the team’s first half century on debut here in Antigua, with an unbeaten 50 against a St Kitts & Nevis Patriots on August 29.

Andrew was included in the senior men’s ODI squad for a three-match series against Sri Lanka from October 20-27.

The legendary fast bowler admitted he was surprised with the youngster’s inclusion in the squad but expressed confidence in his ability to do well.

“First of all, he is 17 years old and we know the talent he has, so that was a no-brainer to get him into the Falcons set-up, but I didn’t expect him to be selected to the West Indies senior team this soon. I knew somewhere down the line he would because he possesses the talent, so I was a bit surprised but I am happy for him. Even if he doesn’t get a chance to play in this tournament, at least he will be around international cricket, international cricketers and could learn and build on that going forward,” he said. 

Dr Sir Curtly when on to thank the franchise for the opportunity to impart his knowledge on the players.

“I feel really proud to be part of the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons because you guys know by now that I am an extremely proud Antiguan and Barbudan, and it doesn’t matter where I go, I will always fly our flag high with pride and build up Antigua in a positive way so to be a part of the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons is really a pleasure,” the former player said.

The St Lucia Kings captured the 2024 CPL crown after beating 2023 champions, the Guyana Amazon Warriors by six wickets in the final at the Providence in Guyana on October 7.

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