Curtly Ambrose, the former West Indies fast bowler, has said the decision to remove him as West Indies’ bowling consultant came as “a bit of a shock”. Ambrose was replaced with Roddy Estwick on the weekend; he said head coach Phil Simmons told him the decision was made because Simmons wanted someone who is “more technical” to coach the team’s fast bowlers.
“I only learnt about it from head coach Phil Simmons on Wednesday [last week], and when he told me I said to him that I am very disappointed, because I never expected it, and I never saw it coming because he never gave me any indication he was going to let me go,” Ambrose was quoted as saying in the Antigua Observer. “So, it came as a bit of a shock basically, but I haven’t decided which direction I am going to take just yet. I’ll just pause and give it a little time to think about it and decide where I want to go after.”
Ambrose had served as West Indies’ consultant for the last three years, his most recent assignment being the World T20 triumph in India in April. The WICB press release did not state a reason for Ambrose’s exit. “I spoke to head coach Phil Simmons, and he told me that he wanted someone who is more technical to work with the fast bowlers,” Ambrose said. “So, I said to him well, if you knew I was doing a poor job, then you should have told me. He said no, I did a fantastic job, because I brought a high level of discipline to the team, and I have motivated the guys quite a bit… but he wants somebody more technical, hence, he is going for Roderick Estwick.”
Estwick, who was given the designation of bowling coach, is due to join the West Indies pre-season preparatory camp on May 19, ahead of the home tri-series against Australia and South Africa that starts on June 3 in Guyana. Estwick had coached the Barbados domestic side as well as the West Indies Under-19 and Barbados Under-19 teams, apart from participating in the High Performance Centre programme.
