New bowling coach Walsh delighted with Bangladesh job

The West Indies fast bowling great agreed to a three-year contract with the Bangladesh Cricket Board which begins this week, the board said on Thursday, reports bdnews24.com. The 53-year-old Walsh, the most successful bowler from the Caribbean Islands with 519 Test wickets, recently completed his role as a West Indies selector.

“Having watched Bangladesh cricket from afar over the years, they are a seriously talented bunch of players,” Walsh said in a statement. “Chandika Hathurusingha has done a wonderful job thus far as head coach so hopefully I can complement his skills and continue the positive progress.”

“Obviously the West Indies is my home but the chance to go in a new direction on the coaching front and with such a talented group, was one I couldn’t look past.”

Courtney Andrew Walsh is a former international cricketer (fast bowler) who represented the West Indies from 1984 to 2001, captaining the West Indies in 22 Test matches. He is best known for a remarkable opening bowling partnership along with fellow West Indian Curtly Ambrose for several years. Walsh played 132 Tests and 205 ODIs for the West Indies and took 519 and 227 wickets respectively. He shared 421 Test wickets with Ambrose in 49 matches.

He held the record of most Test wickets from 2000, after he broke the record of Kapil Dev. This record was later broken in 2004 by Shane Warne. He was the first bowler to reach 500 wickets in Test cricket.

His autobiography is entitled “Heart of the Lion”. Walsh was named one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1987, and one of the Indian Cricket Cricketer of the Year a year later. 

The Bangladesh job will be the first senior role for Walsh, who in the past has managed the West Indies Under-19 team and been a bowling consultant for the Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League among others.

Walsh takes office in a time when Bangladesh are gearing up for international action after a break of almost six months. He will prepare his disciples for three 50-over matches against Afghanistan at home later this month before Bangladesh host England next. “We are delighted to have Courtney in our ranks. He is a role model to millions and his fast bowling knowledge is second to none,” BCB Chief Executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury said. “Bangladesh cricket at present is going through the best pace bowling phase in our history and Courtney’s involvement I am sure will take it to greater heights.”