A giant of the game in every sense, Curtly Ambrose can be called the deadliest fast bowler of his generation. Like his predecessor Andy Roberts, Ambrose didn’t say much, turning down countless interview requests with the motto, “Curtly talk to no man.”
Delivering the ball from a height of almost 10 feet, the 6’7 height Curtly Ambrose has played 98 Tests and 176 ODIs for the West Indies. Ambrose, who has taken 405 Test wickets with an economy of 2.30, Has taken 225 ODI wickets at an average of 24.12.
Curtly Ambrose revealed his retro T20 XI in a YouTube chat with Announcer Karishma. (The Curtly and Karishma Show)
Ambrose mentioned that there are different versions of cricket and his favorite last game is Test cricket. However, he also mentioned that he loves the game of T20.
“There are so many different versions of the game these days. T20 brings a different type of audience, and it’s exciting. It’s a short game, and most people love it. I do love it as well, but for me, Test cricket is the ultimate.”
“At the end of a career, you will be judged on how many Test matches you’ve played, how many wickets you’ve taken as a bowler, how many runs you’ve scored as a batsman. It has to be Test cricket to gain legendary status.”
Ambrose selected his Retro T20 XI from players from his era up to 2000, when he retired from international cricket. His team included four former West Indies players, two players each from Sri Lanka and Australia and one player each from South Africa, England and Pakistan.
His opening batsmen were former West Indies legend Gordon Greenidge and Sri Lanka’s destructive Sanath Jayasuriya. Greenidge played in 128 ODIs and scored 5134 runs at an average of 45 and also, Jayasuriya scored 13,430 runs in 445 ODI matches and 2317 runs in 111 T20 matches.
Ambrose named Sir Viv Richards for his number three, Jacques Kallis for number four and Collis King for number five. Richards scored 6721 runs with the white ball and Kallis scored 11,579 runs in ODIs and 4416 runs in T20I. On the other hand, King has amassed 2738 runs in his List-A career and 280 runs in ODIs.
He selected Australian Adam Gilchrist, who had scored 9619 ODIs and 2622 T20 runs, for the wicketkeeper’s position and named Sir Ian Botham as an all-rounder in Ambrose’s XI.
His spinners were the kings of spin, Australia’s Shane Warne and Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan. Warne had taken 293 ODI wickets and 70 T20 wickets, while Murali had taken 534 ODI wickets and 179 T20 wickets.
Also, Ambrose picked Wasim Akram and Joel Garner for fast bowlers. Akram took 502 ODI wickets while Garner took 146 wickets in the 50-over format.
Sir Curtly Ambrose’s Retro T20 XI: Sanath Jayasuriya, Gordon Greenidge, Viv Richards, Jacques Kallis, Collis King, Adam Gilchrist, Ian Botham, Wasim Akram, Shane Warne, Joel Garner and, Muttiah Muralidharan.
He explained the reasons for choosing this team.
“These Guys are all match winners. first thing. I want to look at a combination. These guys apart from Gordon Greenidge, and Adam Gilchrist all Oder players bat and bowl. So, I have many choices.”
“These guys could take any ball attack apart on any given day and with the bowlers. they can restrict and keep teams very quiet. Because of the skills that they possess. So I think it’s very balanced and well put together xi.”
Hmm, good side, but can disagree, or find a bit of a better side, but was not on the field with??
Why Ambrose did not pick himself? He could make ANY team he wants to make.I have worked with Sir Courtley in Montegobay Jamaica while he was playing Carib Cement Cricket. His determination is second to none, easy to talk to.Great Character.