LONDON – Sir Curtley Ambrose, one of the greatest of all West Indian fast bowlers, would like to bring his knowledge to the England set-up.
The legendary Ambrose was forced to watch in pained frustration as the West Indies team who decided they could do without him as their bowling coach crashed to a three-day defeat in the first Test at Edgbaston.
Now, 18 months after he was sacked by West Indies immediately after their World Twenty20 final triumph in India, he wants to succeed the outgoing Ottis Gibson with England.
It will be confirmed this week that Ambrose’s fellow West Indian Gibson is to quit at the end of this three-Test series to become head coach of South Africa, as first revealed by MailOnline.
It leaves England in need of a new fast bowling coach ahead of the Ashes.
Ambrose, who took 405 wickets in 98 Tests, believes he could be their man.
Ambrose, 53, told Sportsmail: “If an opportunity came from England, I would certainly take it because I think I have something to offer. I would be very interested in returning to international cricket.”
It was a surprise when then-West Indies coach Phil Simmons decided to replace Ambrose with the little-known Roddy Estwick just after West Indies had beaten England to lift the World Twenty20 trophy.
“It was strange really because Phil Simmons never indicated that I wasn’t doing a good job,” said Ambrose.
“He rang me and said he wanted someone more technical, but he’d never told me that I wasn’t technical enough. What that means, I don’t know.”
Former England fast bowler Darren Gough will be at Headingley on Thursday observing England practice ahead of Friday’s second Test, but is not thought to be a candidate for the job.