Ambrose delighted with new CCC role

Thursday, February 09, 2012

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — West Indies fast bowling legend Curtly Ambrose will work with the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) as a fast bowling consultant for the remainder of the Regional Four-Day Championship, it was announced here yesterday.

The 48-year-old, who snatched 405 wickets in 98 Tests before retiring 12 years ago, started his stint with the CCC earlier this week and said he was looking forward to the new relationship.

"I am excited and really looking forward to working with the members of the CCC team. I was very impressed with the way I saw them play on a few occasions and I am happy to come on board and assist in any way I can," said Ambrose.

"I think I know a few things about fast bowling and I believe the players here can benefit from my knowledge and experience. I have always indicated my willingness to give back and this is one area I can contribute."

Ambrose, who was notorious for his pace, steep bounce and movement, also played in 176 One-Day Internationals and took 225 wickets at an average of 24.12 each.

Only last year, he was inducted into the International Cricket Council's Hall of Fame during the annual awards ceremony in London.

In recent years, Ambrose has worked as an analyst on radio with Line and Length Network and as an analyst on television with ESPN during the WICB's Caribbean T20 tournament.

He also turned out in several Masters tournaments, rolling back the years to display the form that took him to the top of world cricket in his heyday.

Ambrose said during his tenure with the CCC, he hoped to develop the players to go to win competitions as well as to make the West Indies team.

"This team has some talented players and I know we can win games at the regional level and even go on to win the regional championship," the lanky Antiguan told a media conference.

"I want to help to develop a team of winners. I want to be part of a winning team with a winning culture. I also want to help develop players to go on and represent the West Indies with distinction. That is the ultimate goal. It cannot get any higher than that."

Ambrose will have his work cut out for him after the CCC lost their opening round match of the Regional Four-Day Championship to Trinidad and Tobago by 172 runs inside three days last weekend.