'Taylor and Edwards could be <i>the</i> pair for the future'
While in India to promote tourism, Courtney Walsh took out some time to speak to Cricinfo
Nagraj Gollapudi and Sidharth Monga
14-Nov-2006
You sit across a coffee table with Courtney Walsh, expecting a loud, heavy voice that has come to be associated with West Indian greats. You introduce yourself, and you hear a low, unclear voice, so feeble you have to strain your ear. "Nice to meet you," he says. It turns out that Walsh is wearing braces, making his speech low and hazy. While in India to promote tourism, Walsh took out some time for Cricinfo.
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West Indies have been doing well in the one-dayers. What do you think is the key to their success?
The guys are getting more experience and the confidence level is up. They have put a lot of hard work in. I also think the involvement of Clive Lloyd around must have helped. It's a combination of everything: management, team, and coaches. I really think that Clive has made the real difference. Probably Brian [Lara] must have asked him for his reactions. You can see from his body language that he is keen to do well. And the team has responded, which is good.
The guys are getting more experience and the confidence level is up. They have put a lot of hard work in. I also think the involvement of Clive Lloyd around must have helped. It's a combination of everything: management, team, and coaches. I really think that Clive has made the real difference. Probably Brian [Lara] must have asked him for his reactions. You can see from his body language that he is keen to do well. And the team has responded, which is good.
How exactly does having someone like Lloyd around help?
The team gels well and they have respect for him. This makes leadership an easier task. His past experiences are beneficial too.
The team gels well and they have respect for him. This makes leadership an easier task. His past experiences are beneficial too.
You had mentioned that West Indies could do well with the likes of you and Curtly Ambrose working at younger age levels ...
If you get the guys earlier, say Ambrose to work with young fast bowlers, it will show them how to think ahead of time and also build a basis for what to do. Any help you can get from a former player for a younger guy is priceless.
If you get the guys earlier, say Ambrose to work with young fast bowlers, it will show them how to think ahead of time and also build a basis for what to do. Any help you can get from a former player for a younger guy is priceless.
Have West Indies seen their worst?
I am hoping so. Everybody is hoping they go up from here. We have been down and out for a while. We are heading in the right direction under Lara.
I am hoping so. Everybody is hoping they go up from here. We have been down and out for a while. We are heading in the right direction under Lara.
How do you rate Lara as captain?
He is doing a fantastic job as a captain. I just hope he gets some runs. That happens to all great players. The sooner he gets runs the better.
He is doing a fantastic job as a captain. I just hope he gets some runs. That happens to all great players. The sooner he gets runs the better.
What do you make of Jerome Taylor?
The first time I saw him I thought he had the makings of a top-class fast bowler. He has the right attitude to go all the way. If he and Fidel Edwards work well in tandem, it could be the fast bowler pair we are looking at for the future.
The first time I saw him I thought he had the makings of a top-class fast bowler. He has the right attitude to go all the way. If he and Fidel Edwards work well in tandem, it could be the fast bowler pair we are looking at for the future.
When you go back and look, every team had their share of great strike bowlers. You have to give credit to those batsmen who scored runs against such quality of bowling
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How much does the World Cup coming to the West Indies mean?
To hold a World Cup in the West Indies means a lot to all of us ... not just for spectators but for cricketers, former players, associations. And much more to the Caribbean as a whole; a lot of places which probably weren't even heard of are going to be on the map. And if you can do well in a home World Cup, the legacy left behind will help a lot of kids. A lot of kids will start playing cricket again.
To hold a World Cup in the West Indies means a lot to all of us ... not just for spectators but for cricketers, former players, associations. And much more to the Caribbean as a whole; a lot of places which probably weren't even heard of are going to be on the map. And if you can do well in a home World Cup, the legacy left behind will help a lot of kids. A lot of kids will start playing cricket again.
Are the West Indies ready for the World Cup?
All the preparations on the various grounds are spot on. We are ready.
All the preparations on the various grounds are spot on. We are ready.
What will be the key for the bowlers in the World Cup in the West Indies?
In the West Indies, you have to be with vicious with the new ball. If you have pace and swing, it will be helpful. But you have to be able to do something when the ball is new. Or you can come in later and get the reverse-swing. Because the conditions there are normally very good for batting. We are anticipating better surfaces where if you put something in, you get something out. But traditionally on the West Indian tracks, a lot of hard work is required after the first 10-12 overs.
In the West Indies, you have to be with vicious with the new ball. If you have pace and swing, it will be helpful. But you have to be able to do something when the ball is new. Or you can come in later and get the reverse-swing. Because the conditions there are normally very good for batting. We are anticipating better surfaces where if you put something in, you get something out. But traditionally on the West Indian tracks, a lot of hard work is required after the first 10-12 overs.
What kind of pitches do you foresee in the World Cup?
Because most of the tracks are going to be new, I think we will have tracks that are evenly contested. I am hoping the kind of slow tracks we had against India are not repeated. We need good cricketing pitches. If you can bat, you make runs. If you can bowl, you get wickets.
Because most of the tracks are going to be new, I think we will have tracks that are evenly contested. I am hoping the kind of slow tracks we had against India are not repeated. We need good cricketing pitches. If you can bat, you make runs. If you can bowl, you get wickets.
What kind of bowlers are going to do well?
Everybody who is good. Like I said, seamers, spinners, or batsmen. The contests are going to be even.
Everybody who is good. Like I said, seamers, spinners, or batsmen. The contests are going to be even.
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You saw the Indian bowlers. How do you rate them?
There were one or two guys that looked impressive. But everyone is talking about your main bowler [Irfan Pathan] having problems. He is down on a bit of match-fitness and confidence. All he needs to do is regroup. India's main concern going in to World Cup is bowling. If they can sort it out, they have a really good chance.
There were one or two guys that looked impressive. But everyone is talking about your main bowler [Irfan Pathan] having problems. He is down on a bit of match-fitness and confidence. All he needs to do is regroup. India's main concern going in to World Cup is bowling. If they can sort it out, they have a really good chance.
When a bowler is struggling, desperation creeps in. How can one slip back into normal mode?
When you lose your focus or fitness or confidence or form, you try too hard, and that makes it a lot harder. But if you can be relaxed, and have the right guidance around you - guys like Clive, Michael Holding - someone who knows what he is doing, or has been through something and got through it, their advice and guidance can make it a lot easier.
When you lose your focus or fitness or confidence or form, you try too hard, and that makes it a lot harder. But if you can be relaxed, and have the right guidance around you - guys like Clive, Michael Holding - someone who knows what he is doing, or has been through something and got through it, their advice and guidance can make it a lot easier.
Will that mean over-coaching with so many seniors around?
Most good coaches realise and know that there are certain aspects of the game that might be easier coming from somebody else instead of the coach himself. I don't think this is over-coaching. If you are an Ambrose and have lost form and Mikey Holding is helping fix the problem, that's not over-coaching.
Most good coaches realise and know that there are certain aspects of the game that might be easier coming from somebody else instead of the coach himself. I don't think this is over-coaching. If you are an Ambrose and have lost form and Mikey Holding is helping fix the problem, that's not over-coaching.
What are the characteristics of a great fast bowler?
You have to know what you are doing and try to win games for your team. All this comes with the experience and the will to do well.
You have to know what you are doing and try to win games for your team. All this comes with the experience and the will to do well.
Twelve batsmen have averaged over 50 in the last decade. Compare this to earlier times, where we would have only three or four. Do you think there was a stronger pack of bowlers then?
When you go back and look, every team had their share of great strike bowlers. You have to give credit to those batsmen who scored runs against such quality of bowling. Every team had competitiveness and great bowlers to work with. I don't think you can say the same for the teams now. It's going to happen again but there's a bit of a lull right now, where the quality of bowling has dropped a little bit.
When you go back and look, every team had their share of great strike bowlers. You have to give credit to those batsmen who scored runs against such quality of bowling. Every team had competitiveness and great bowlers to work with. I don't think you can say the same for the teams now. It's going to happen again but there's a bit of a lull right now, where the quality of bowling has dropped a little bit.
Who are the bowlers who have the potential to be 'great'?
Steve Harmison is one bowler who is on his way to become a finished product. India have Munaf Patel who has great potential.
Steve Harmison is one bowler who is on his way to become a finished product. India have Munaf Patel who has great potential.
What was your credo as a fast bowler?
No pain no gain.
No pain no gain.
Nagraj Gollapudi is Assistant Editor of Cricinfo Magazine. Sidharth Monga is staff writer of Cricinfo Magazine.