West Indies slipped to their third loss of the ICC World Cup when they failed to defend 322 against Bangladesh at Taunton on Monday (June 17). Jason Holder’s side is now wallowing in seventh place with 3 points from five games. West Indian fast bowling legend Curtly Ambrose was in the commentators’ booth at the County Ground in Taunton to see his national team crumble to a seven-wicket loss in spite of putting up a fighting total. Ambrose, who picked up 405 Test wickets and 225 ODI scalps in a glittering career, is sad to see the steady decline of the two-time World Champions in international cricket.
“Of course it hurts to see the West Indies struggle. Once upon a time, you were the best team in the world for many, many years. I used to play. I know what it’s like to be the best team,” Ambrose was quoted as saying in Bangladesh newspaper Daily Star.
“But the talent is still there, we just need better structure so that we can nurture the talent. As we speak that is being set up. I am hoping that in a few years West Indies will be a force again in world cricket,” the proud Antiguan said.
“The way they (West Indies) are going now, it is going to be really, really tough to get into the semifinals. There might be some upsets along the way, there may be weather interventions, so they have to keep winning,” Ambrose, who took part in three World Cup between 1992 and 1999, said.
“Most of the cricket pundits figure that the top four teams are Australia, India, New Zealand, and England and everyone expects them to be in the semifinal. I am hoping to see some upsets, to be honest, to keep the World Cup interesting. You don’t want it to be a straightforward World Cup. I am hoping West Indies make the semifinals,” he added.
