WEST Indies bowling great Sir Curtly Ambrose has challenged West Indies Under-19 strike bowler Alzarri Joseph to remain focused and strive for excellence.Ambrose was addressing the young fast bowler on his return to Antigua on Wednesday night.The 52-year-old Ambrose, who has 405 Test wickets and is widely considered one of the best fast bowlers of all-time, also urged Joseph to remain humble and respectful, saying that the young quick was free to lean on him when necessary.
“I am Antiguan, you’re Antiguan and I am proud. Anytime you need any advice or any help and as long as I am on the island, you can call on me anytime,” said the West Indies bowling consultant.
“You’ve been playing First Class cricket already for the Leeward Islands and you’ve been doing very well so the next step is international cricket but take it one step at a time.
“There is a start, (there is) a middle and there is an end and this is the start. You will get to the middle and you will get to the end, which is international cricket.”
Joseph snared 13 wickets during the ICC’s Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh which included a haul of 3 for 39 in the final against India.
Ambrose believes that Joseph has demonstrated that he has the qualities to be a great fast bowler and that he should always try to improve upon his skills.
“I’ve watched most of the games and you have the fast bowler’s streak; you don’t smile much and I like that about you,” Ambrose said.
“You are very aggressive but I just want to say that it’s now the work will start. Now that you are in the eyes of the world, everyone will be watching you, so I want to say to you just keep working hard, maintain your fitness, continue to develop your skills.”
On his return home, Joseph was greeted by his mother Sharon Joseph, Minister of Sports EP Chet Greene, Senator Colin James, Cricket Association president Leon Rodney and Leeward Islands Cricket Board chief, Enoch Lewis.
Coach Pernell Joseph and grandmothers, Janice Hughes and Eileen Joseph, also greeted the young Antiguan cricketer on his arrival. (Sportsmax.com)