Quote:Curtly Ambrose is "the worst coach I've seen." Those were the words of Franklyn Stephenson, former county cricket standout, a player frequently referred to as the "greatest West Indian never to play Test cricket." The former fast bowler operates the Franklyn Stephenson Academy in St. Thomas, Barbados, a facility that provides coaching to boys aged eight to fifteen.

According to Stephenson, he was far from impressed when the West Indies bowling coach visited the facility. "He came here to our camp but didn't say a single word to any bowler. He is just for show, nothing more."

Stephenson also aimed his ire at other greats - Vivian Richards, Andy Roberts, Clive Lloyd, Richie Richardson and Gus Logie, were all, at some point, involved with the team as managers or coaches or selectors. Indeed, Lloyd is currently Chairman of Selectors and Richardson was recently the manager of the team, a position he gave up to become an International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee. "They've been the worst coaches," Stephenson said. "The results tell you that. They want to give back but they give back with their hands open."

I doubt Stephenson is correct about these former greats being excessively concerned with receiving benefits, but he did make an assertion that is worth considering. His conviction that the great players have not been the best coaches is true, not only as it relates West Indies cricket, or even cricket, in general. It is true of all sport. Ambrose, he said, was the worst coach despite having been "a fantastic bowler." And while Stephenson probably engaged in hyperbole to press home his point, it is a broader truth that great players don't normally go on to become great coaches.