Former West Indies pacer Curtly Ambrose said that he was shocked and upset after being sacked as the team's bowling consultant as it had happened without a notice. Ambrose was axed by the West Indies Cricket Board last week and was replaced by former West Indies A cricketer Roderick Estwick.
Ambrose said that head coach Phil Simmons had broken the news to him. “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.
“So, it came as a bit of a shock basically, but I haven’t decided which direction I am going to take just yet,” Ambrose told antiguaobserver.com
The 52-year old legend, who claimed 405 wickets in 98 Tests at an average of 20.99, has served as the bowling consultant for three years and was also behind the team's successful World T20 campaign. He also divulged that Simmons had told him that the board was looking for a more technical person for the role.
Also read: Curtly Ambrose has had great influence on us: West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite
“I spoke to Phil Simmons, and he told me that he wanted someone who is more technical to work with the fast bowlers. I’ve gotten the respect from all the guys, and I did a fantastic job, but he wants somebody more technical, hence, he is going for Roderick Estwick.”
Estwick, who played first-class cricket for West Indies, has also featured for Barbados and Transvaal between 1983 and 1990. He was the head coach of the Under-19 Barbados team, helping the team win three titles between 2000 and 2004. He also toured with the U-19 West indies team in and out of the region.
Ambrose said that he had a lot of things planned ahead of the tri-nations series involving West Indies, Australia and South Africa which is scheduled to begin on June 3. “I had high hopes for the tri-nation series and the Test series against India, because I have planned most of my stuff around those series. So, it was a bit of a shock, and it’s disappointing, but he(Simmons) is the boss, and the head coach is the one who selects his crew, his coaching staff.”
The West Indian also revealed that he had wished Simmons luck and hoped for positive results, adding that he is not going to hold any grudge against him.
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