By Neto Baptiste
Former West Indies and Leeward Islands fast bowler, Sir Curtly Ambrose, is still interested in playing a role in the development of cricket at a regional level and said he has applied for several openings advertised by Cricket West Indies (CWI) but to no avail.
The former Antigua fast bowler said he had recently applied for a selector’s post that had become vacant but was unsuccessful.
“Well, I did apply as well because I figured that whether it is coaching, being a selector or whatever I could do to help West Indies cricket go forward, I am always ready and willing to do so after there was nothing to do in terms of the coaching part of it, I decided to put in for being a selector because I thought that could help because I am a very fair minded person and I just want to see West Indies cricket get better,” he said.
“They interviewed me, Jimmy Adams and the Vice President [Dr Kishore Shallow], for about an hour and I didn’t quite make it.”
Speaking on the Good Morning Jojo Sports Show, Sir Curtly, who is one of four knighted Antiguan cricketers, said he has done some one on one work with players but nothing on a permanent basis.
“Since I was sacked from the senior team back in 2016, I have done a few bits and pieces in between in terms of some coaching stints with a few fast bowlers and stuff, but not on a consistent basis and as we speak, I am not doing anything concerning West Indies cricket at the moment,” he said.
Sri Curtly, who bagged 405 wickets in 98 Tests and 225 scalps in 176 One Day Internationals, said he is yet to be approached by either the Leeward Islands Cricket Board of the national cricket association as to how he could assist with their programme.
“Of all the years I’ve retired, which is around 20 years now, I’ve never been approached by Antigua cricket team or cricket board or the Leeward Islands — never approached in terms of helping the cricketers. I’ve seen Leeward Islands training here in Antigua, in camps that I’ve been around and guys have seen me, said hi to me, but nobody has ever asked me any question,” he said. Sir Curtly, in 2018, completed his Level Three certification along with 24 other officials from the Caribbean and North America.