Ambrose to torment England one last time

ST. JOHN'S (ANTIGUA), MAY 30. Fast bowler Curtly Ambrose, the third highest wicket-taker in West Indies Test history, said he will retire from international cricket after the tour of England, which starts this week.

``This is my last game here in Antigua. After the England series I will call it a day,'' said the 36-year-old after West Indies' dramatic one-wicket win over Pakistan which gave it a 1-0 win in the three-match series.

``It's time for me to pack it in. I've thought about it long and hard. A man has got limitations and it's time for me to leave. I've played this game for 12 and a half years and I think I've done extremely well.

``The last thing I want to do is to stay around. I've set myself high standards and if I can't reach those standards then I prefer not to play.''

Ambrose, who has taken 388 Test wickets, has come back strongly after twice being sidelined by injury, in South Africa in 1998 and then missing the recent series in New Zealand.

He said he was convinced he had chosen the right moment to leave and said his departure could encourage younger bowlers.

``I'm still standing strong and I'm looking forward to challenging England, even though everybody in the Caribbean thinks I'm too old for this game,'' he said.

``Reon King is improving with every game, Frankly Rose is bowling well. Maybe when I leave, that will be what they need to lift their game.'' Ambrose, who took 11 wickets in the three Tests against Pakistan, was confident of passing the 400 mark.

``I'm only 12 wickets away and I've always done well against England,'' he said.

In the meanwhile, Nasser Hussain and his England side may be wondering if he could not time it any sooner. In 29 Tests against England, Ambrose has taken a remarkable 147 wickets at 18.80 apiece including a career-best eight for 45 at Bridgetown in 1990 and relishes one final go at the Englishmen.

- Reuters, AFP

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