Courtney Walsh sees reason to be optimistic as the West Indies prepare for Thursday’s first Test The closest the West Indies have come to greatness on their Australian tour to date has been when they rub shoulders with their all-star support staff at training.But fast-bowling legend Courtney Walsh believes the Windies’ next cricketing great is present in the current squad for the three-match Commonwealth Bank Test series against world No.2 Australia.
And the Windies will no doubt be sweating on him emerging sooner rather than later after a poor start to their Australian tour.
The West Indies may wish they could run out their support staff of legends Walsh, Richie Richardson, Curtly Ambrose and coach Phil Simmons as they look to rebuild their once mighty team.
Particularly after a near full-strength Windies were humbled by 10 wickets by a second string Cricket Australia XI in their warm-up match before the first Test, starting in Hobart on Thursday.
Only rested bowling spearhead Jerome Taylor was missing from the Windies XI in Brisbane.
For the first time since they launched their remarkable 15-year unbeaten Test streak in 1980, the West Indies have arrived in Australia without a recognised matchwinner.
The likes of ex-skippers Chris Gayle, Darren Sammy and Dwayne Bravo are in Australia, but they are instead featuring in the KFC Big Bash League.
Yet Walsh thinks greatness will potentially be on display in Windies colours this summer.
Asked if they had a player in their midst to add to their long list of Windies legends, Walsh said: “There are a few players here on this tour that could do so.”
“But it is up to the individual to work hard, stay focused,” he added.
Asked if he could name names, a protective Walsh said: “No.”
Walsh said he had a big role to play in ensuring his bold claim came to pass.

Walsh hopes the presence of tour selector Walsh, team manager Richardson, bowling consultant Ambrose and head mentor Simmons in Australia will inspire the young squad.
“It’s a balancing act but that is where the management team come into play,” Walsh said.
“They all have their role to play.
“Encourage when you need to encourage. When you need to be hard and tough you are hard and tough.
“Everything is not always going to be rosy.” (AAP)