JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – West Indies bowling consultant Curtly Ambrose believes a Sheldon Cottrell-led attack can compete with the top-ranked Proteas attack ahead of the first Test between the two sides starting in Centurion tomrrow.
“Sheldon bowled very well in the warm-up game in Benoni. He’s looking good, but we can rely on all the bowlers to bowl South Africa out twice,” said the former West Indian fast bowler from Antigua who played 98 Tests.
“Having Sheldon as a left-arm bowler could be the difference.”
The left-arm quick took five wickets in six overs against a South African Invitational XI last week in a tour match at Willowmoore Park and is a frontrunner to open the bowling for the tourists
Despite a Test ranking of eighth, ahead of only Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, Ambrose predicted his side could compete with the hosts.
“I feel very confident we will do well, contrary to what others believe – even though South Africa are the number one team.”
Despite the South African pitches known to favour pace bowling with prodigious movement off the deck, Ambrose said a disciplined approach by his charges would be key.
“I’ve played in places where they are known to be bowler-friendly and the main thing is to keep focused and put the ball in the right areas.
“No one bowler can win a match; it takes a team effort. We’re certainly not going to bowl anything for them to drive.”
West Indies have had a poor record against South Africa. They have lost ten of 12 previous Tests in South Africa, managing just one win and one draw.