ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Legendary fast bowler Sir Curtly Ambrose has told West Indies Under-19 pace sensation Alzarri Joseph to prepare to take the step up to international cricket but has also urged him to remain humble and focused.
Antiguan Joseph returned here Wednesday night after helping West Indies to capture the ICC Youth Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh last Sunday.
He arrived to a welcome reception which included Ambrose, parents Alva and Sharon Joseph, Sports Minister EP Chet Greene and Senator Colin James.
“Remain focussed, remain respectful and above all, remain humble. That is very important,” Sir Curtly told Joseph.
“I just want to wish you the very best going forward. 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.
“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, 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 was superb at the Youth World Cup, rattling opposing batsmen with his pace and movement to capture 13 wickets.
He formed a formidable new-ball partnership with Barbados fast bowler Chemar Holder, and it was their opening spell in last Sunday’s final which set up the five-wicket win for the Young Windies.
In that game, Joseph finished with three for 39 from his ten overs. Sir Curtly, who finished an illustrious career with 405 wickets from 98 Tests, also said Joseph possessed the attributes needed to be a successful fast bowler and encouraged him to keep learning. “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,” said Sir Curtly, currently a bowling consultant to the West Indies senior team.
“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.
“You are still a young man, still learning the art of fast bowling so try to learn something every day.”
The reception, hosted at the VIP lounge of the VC Bird International Airport, was also attended by Antigua Cricket Association president, Leon Rodney and Leeward Islands Cricket Board head, Enoch Lewis.