Legendary fast bowler Courtney Walsh has been appointed as the head coach of West Indies women’s cricket team. Walsh will oversee preparations for the upcoming editions of the Women’s World Cup and the Women’s T20 World Cup with a contract running until the end of 2022, the Cricket West Indies has said.
Courtney Walsh had worked on a short-term contract with the West Indies women’s cricket team during the T20 World Cup earlier this year in Australia. Having been part of the senior selection panel for the national women’s team between 2013 and 2016, Walsh’s experience will come in handy as West Indies continue their preparations for the world events.
Walsh, who is West Indies’ leading Test wicket-taker with 519 poles, will replace Andre Coley who was at the helm of the team in the recently-concluded T20I series against England women. Notably, West Indies women were blanked 5-0 in Derby.
“This is indeed an honour to be named as the new Head Coach. It’s an exciting challenge and I’ve always wanted to give back in any way I can and help with the development of the game in the West Indies,” Courtney Walsh said in a CWI statement.
“The experience I have, my knowledge of the game, and my overall organisational skills will be key aspects as we try to develop a winning team culture. I worked with the team at the Women’s T20 World Cup earlier this year in Australia and in the series against India in the Caribbean last year, so I have a very good understanding of what is required.
“The ability and the talent are there, we have some fantastic players in the West Indies, and it will be my duty and focus to help the women to develop their talents and achieve the goals we are going to be setting together.”
Courtney Walsh has been focusing on coaching in the recent past with a stint as assistant coach of the Bangladesh senior men’s team. He also worked with the Jamaica Tallawahs and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the Caribbean Premier League.
