Courtney Walsh: Gentleman at work

One can safely claim that West Indies Cricket waited and probably has to wait for a while before they fi nd another Courtney Walsh to spearhead a bowling attack that was once revered by all. One of the pair that formed West Indies’s ‘Big Cs’ (with Curtly Ambrose), the Jamaican played his heart out for his team.

Walsh was known for his impeccable accuracy coupled with pace. He is also remembered for his heart befitting his stature. His gesture to not run Pakistan’s last man Salim Jaffer out at the 1987 World Cup cost West Indies a semi-fi nals spot but also won Walsh a lot of respect around the world.

The big man ended his career being among the very few bowlers to have bowled over 5,000 overs in Test cricket and taken over 500 wickets. Walsh, these days is rolling with the good times at Cuddy’z Ultimate Sports Bar in Jamaica, a bar he owns. Never to leave behind his days as a sportsman, the menu at his bar features sports-themed dishes like a Formula One Burger, a Champion Cheeseburger or a cake and vanilla dessert called Ready to Rumble while the place is strewn with memorabilia from the world of sports.

One wonders if buddy Ambrose swings by Cuddy’z with his reggae band often. Chin music would defi nitely be something to watch out for at the bar then.