Walsh, Ambrose and young fast bowlers

THE EDITOR, Madam:

LIKE ALL West Indians, I have the greatest admiration for Sir Vivian Richards, but I respectfully wish to join issue with him with his expressed desire that Walsh and Ambrose should go to Australia. These two stalwarts have given their all to West Indian cricket and if they wish to retire, they should be allowed to go with the region's gratitude ringing in their ears.

The problem facing our current crop of young fast bowlers, as ironic as it may seem, is the presence of Walsh and Ambrose.

As a young attorney, I identified entirely with what is happening to them today. Whenever one went to court in the company of a senior counsel, one had the feeling of security and a safety-net in the knowledge that leading counsel was there, and one felt sheltered. It was only when leading counsel, either left one in charge or sent one into court on one's own that the full responsibility of the case was felt.

I am prepared to wager that once Walsh and Ambrose have left the scene and the young bowlers are entrusted (without benefit of safety-net), they will fulfil their true potential.

In any event, I would rather prefer to see us take a young, fresh team to Australia, even if we lose every match, and there start the long climb back to our former status of glory - if Walsh and Ambrose are to go to Australia, they should go as coaches, to impart their wealth of experience and guidance to the bowlers of the future.

I am, etc.,

HOWARD HAMILTON, Q.C.

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