West Indies bowling legend Courtney Walsh believes a lack of capable, explosive fast bowlers has negatively impacted the team's fortune in Test cricket.
Despite being a dominant force in the game’s shortest version, T20 cricket, often thought to require less concentration, the West Indies are ranked eighth among Test playing nations. Walsh believes a major part of the issue has been the region’s ability to produce top quality fast bowlers.
Walsh whose career spanned from 1984 to 2001, ended his career with 519 wickets at 24.44 in 132 Tests. In the ODIs the bowler claimed 227 in 205 matches at an economy rate of 3.87. Walsh formed part of a dynamic duo with Antiguan Curtly Ambrose which terrorized opposition batsmen. With dominant bowlers having faded from the regional game the former record holder believes things are harder for modern players.
“I learnt so much from the likes of Michael Holding, Andy Roberts Malcolm Marshall and Joel Garner. It is not the same now. I think the last explosive fast bowler we produced was Patrick Patterson way back in the 90s,” Walsh claimed.
The first player to reach 500 wickets in Test cricket he believe a part of the issue also stems from the unwillingness of modern players to be patient.
"I don’t think it is a technical issue. I believe there is enough talent in the West Indies. I feel it is a mindset issue. Cricketers are not showing the patience for five days of cricket. Your attention span has to be good,” Walsh said.
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