Committed to bowing out of the game 'on a high', Curtly Ambrose
yesterday announced his intention to retire from international cricket
after the summer's tourof England. The champion Antiguan fast bowler,
who has won many a Test match for the West Indies, told a packed
afternoon Press conference that he had already informedthe West Indies
Cricket Board (WICB) of his decision.
'It is time for me to pack it in. I've thought about it long and hard
and I think a man has got to know his limitations,' the36-year-old
Ambrose told reporters after the West Indies' tense victory by one
wicket in the third and final Test against Pakistan.
High standards
'I set myself high standards and if I can't measure up to that
standard I'd rather not play. Before that happens, I prefer to leave
knowing that I left the game on a high.'
The beanpole fast bowler gave a hint of his retirement by raising both
arms when he led the West Indies team off the Antigua Recreation
Ground after the completion of the Pakistan second innings on Sunday
evening.
Ambrose, Test cricket's fifth highest wicket-taker, has also ruled out
the possibility of a change of heart.
'I've made my decision and I stick by it,' he said.
'Somebody asked me if I go to England and get 40 wickets, if I'll have
second thoughts. The answer is no. I think I've just about had enough
and I think it is ime for me to leave.'
He also gave no preview about his future.
'I've got a few things in the pipeline, things that I don't what to
disclose at this time, but I've got something planned,' he said.
Ambrose added that he had no regrets during an illustrious career that
started in 1988.
His 388 wickets in 93 matches make him the second highest wicket-taker
among West Indies in Tests and he says it will be a 'nice feeling' if
he manages to break the 400-mark in the five-match series against
England.
Over the last few years, Ambrose has formed an effective combination
with the 37-year-old Courtney Walsh, but he did not want to speculate
about when his partner would retire.'
Courtney is his own man. The whole Caribbean figures that we are too
old, that we shouldn't be going to England,' Ambrose said.
'I've made my decision. It's up to Courtney if he wants to go on or
not. I think he's still bowling very well.'
Ambrose was also satisfied that by the time the England tour ends in
September, the young crop of fast bowlers would be almost ready to
spearhead the attack.
'We have seen in this series that the youngsters are holding their
own,' he said in reference to Reon King and Franklyn Rose.
'I'm not saying they are going to be world-beaters overnight, but they
are improving and maybe when I leave, that might be exactly what they
need to help them to lift their game.'
And what about the England tour?
'I have never really shirked despite the fact that the whole Caribbean
figures that I'm too old for this game,' he said.
'I'm still standing strong and I'm looking forward to the challenge in
England.'