Walsh wants Windies job

Former Windies fast bowling legend Courtney Walsh says he will be very much interested in taking up a role with the current West Indies team, this after his contract with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) ran out following the ICC World Cup.

The former Windies captain, who took up the role of bowling coach back in 2016, did not get a contract extension with the BCB, and immediately made his intentions clear of continuing his coaching in the West Indies.

“I had a good run with the Bangladesh team and I believe it is time for me to come back home,” Walsh told The Gleaner. “I made it clear to the Bangladesh Cricket Board that I will not be available after the World Cup.

The West Indies have always been in my heart and I believe I can make a tremendous contribution to this new group of players.”

Since retiring in 2001, Walsh has played varying roles in cricket, working as a West Indies selector as well as a mentor for the Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) back in 2014.

Walsh was also the manager of the West Indies Under 19 team that included current Test players Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell and Sunil Ambris.

The former world record holder for the most wickets in Tests said he believes his experience will go a far way in lifting the regional game.

“I learnt a lot about the international game, being around Bangladesh set-up, and one of the things that we underestimate in the region is communication. Good communication is something that can affect the on-field activities and this is something I believe needs to improve right away.”

Walsh, who is in England at the moment, said he was initially approached for a bowling coach role with the Jamaica Tallawahs for the upcoming CPL season. However, the 56-year-old said the franchise has not got back to him.

Recruitment process begins September

In the meantime, President of Cricket West Indies Ricky Skerritt told The Gleaner that the process to recruit a permanent head coach will begin in September, following the next board meeting.

Skerritt went on to add that the process could last up to December, and whomever is selected will serve from January 2020 for four years up to the next ICC World Cup.

Interim coach Floyd Reifer said he would love to take up the role permanently, while there has been talk throughout the region that former Ireland, Windies and Afghanistan coach Phil Simmons is said to be interested in a return.