SIR CURTLY BACKING WINDIES PACE ATTACK

Johannesburg, South Africa - West Indies bowling consultant Curtly Ambrose believes a Sheldon Cottrell-led attack can compete with the top-ranked Proteas attack ahead of the first Test between the two sides starting in Centurion on Wednesday.

“Sheldon bowled very well in the warm-up game in Benoni. He’s looking good, but we can rely on all the bowlers to bowl South Africa out twice,” said the former West Indian fast bowler from Antigua who played 98 Tests.

“Having Sheldon as a left arm bowler could be the difference.”

The left-arm quick took five wickets in six overs against a South African Invitational XI last week in a tour match at Willowmoore Park and is a frontrunner to open the bowling for the tourists.



Despite a Test ranking of eighth, ahead of only Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, Ambrose predicted his side could compete with the hosts.

“I feel very confident we will do well, contrary to what others believe — even though South Africa are the number one team.”

Despite the South African pitches known to favour pace bowling with prodigious movement off the deck, Ambrose said a disciplined approach by his charges would be key.

“I’ve played in places where they are known to be bowler friendly and the main thing is to keep focused and put the ball in the right areas.

“No one bowler can win a match; it takes a team effort. We’re certainly not going to bowl anything for them to drive.”

West Indies have had a poor record against South Africa. They have lost ten of 12 previous Tests in South Africa, managing just one win and one draw.

First Published In The Citizen.

What's with the saluting thing with this fellah? .... I think he's a soldier boy but what's with it on the cricket field? :-\

Ambrose seems to be doing good work with the pacers.

Let's hope they can stop the SA batting.

Ramdin not taking the new ball immediately. Sad that the West Indies are these days more about strikes than strike bowlers

Ramdin should take the new ball. Bowling looking ordinary

Curtley have his work cut out. He seemed to be doing good work but maybe that was an illusion.

Mapoui wanna swap Cottrel for Gabriel.... :-\

[quote author=ketchim link=topic=94559.msg606011#msg606011 date=1418833869]
Mapoui wanna swap Cottrel for Gabriel.... :-\
[/quote]

Because Gabe is more useful than Cott.
man I like to look at personality to try to determine which cricketer is good and who isnt.  Cottrell isnt good now and never will be good

Gabe is a class act compared to Cotts and most of the rest of them.  he can take wickets and at some point he will start taking again.  but Gabe is a tremendous back up to Roach and Tayro...l if Tayroll ever comes to bowl again

Gabe is fast and strong and he can bowl the spells a captain needs from his third fast bowler.  he wont be leaking runs like Cotts

DECLARATION! SA 552-5 dec. Hamshim Amla calls the players off! Very dominant position for the Proteas, the Windies have some batting to do