Curtly Ambrose: Time to Talk

by Curtly Ambrose, Richard Sydenham, Richie Benaud (Foreword)

Sir Curtly Ambrose is one of the most famous cricket players of all time.

He is also notorious for his silence.

Now, for the first time, Curtly will tell his story.

One of the leading - and most lethal - fast bowlers of all time, Curtly Ambrose played 98 Tests and 176 One Day Internationals for the West Indies, and for much of his career topped the ICC player rankings. He was an integral part of the iconic West Indies teams of the late 1980s and early 1990s whilst also bearing witness to their decline throughout the 1990s and beyond. A formidable sportsman, Curtly has unique insight into the extreme highs and debilitating lows of international cricket.

But during his career Curtly Ambrose was notorious for his silence. He rarely spoke to the media and, if he did, it was usually to rebuff an interview, which earned him the infamous reputation of 'Curtly talks to no one!'.

In this, his autobiography, Curtly will tell the story of his life with the West Indies team for the very first time. From his colourful upbringing in Antigua, through to the turbulent politics of both nation and dressing room, the book takes you behind the scenes to give a fascinating insight into the career of an iconic sportsman.

With his customary honesty, Curtly will discuss his relationship with both the game and his teammates and competitors, and will talk in depth about key moments in his career, including his extraordinary spell against Australia in 1992, taking 7-1. From the culture of West Indian cricket to experiencing post-Apartheid cricket in South Africa, as well as touching on his relationship with cricket mogul and notorious financier Allen Stanford, the book will speak to fans of works such as C.L.R. James' Beyond a Boundary, as well as fans of cricket and sports biography.

It also includes forewords from legendary cricket commentatory Richie Benaud and Steve Waugh.

Genres: Autobiography

288 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2015

Reviews

[Simon Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable enough ghost-written cricket autobiography, although there's a slight lack of depth regarding the most interesting matters. For instance, Curtly Ambrose wanted to be a basketball player all through his youonger days, and only turned to cricket at the last minute. How on earth did he become so good, so quickly? The book doesn't explain this. Also, there's a lack of analysis of the way he bowled and the tactics he used to get so many wickets. The book's stronger on the day-to-day stuff, though; Tests and tours with the West Indies, and life on the county circuit with Northamptonshire, for instance. Curtly Ambrose, for all his hostility as a bowler, seems like a likeable character, and the book's likeable too, but not a classic of its genre.

[Satish Sridharan · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a Test Cricket fan of the late 80s up to the year 2000, it's a great read, especially if they watched the matches during that time. Sir Curtly talks about every test series he played in from 1988 to 2000. It makes for an interesting report by itself, especially the 1995 test series vs Australia where he has covered the spat with Steve Waugh in depth. The reader can enjoy reading about the dominant WI teams of the past and then almost feel the pain as Ambrose describes the decline of WI cricket gradually test series by test series.

The book also showcased the shrewd cricketing brain of Ambrose as he read the match situation better than his captain did on some occasions. He has also written extensively about the politics in WI cricket and describes the experience of playing under Richie Richardson, Courtney Walsh, Brain Lara and Jimmy Adams. It is interesting to understand the character of some of the WI greats from Ambrose's perspective. If only WI team/board had listened to his inputs, the results of some of the matches would have been different!

[Sid Das · Rating 3 out of 5]

Watching cricket in the 90's meant living with the giants. Curtly Ambrose was my favourite bowler growing up and to read his journey conjured up many childhood memories for me. His Perth spell of 7 for 1 is etched in my mind.

[Shyam Asnani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written. I know about Sir Ambrose as gentle giant , who has been one of the best fast bowlers in the history with low economy rate. From the book, I came to about his humble beginning, family life & honesty. His silence as well as frank views. Get guy. 🙏

[Sagar Acharya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have met Curtley Ambrose a few times and has he posed for a photo.After reading his book I get a better understanding of the man himself.
He had an amazing career and his book is a great insight about him.

[Dishit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the honesty and no nonsense approach to the book. For a cricket fan it is a good read. Wasn't aware he hadn't played any tests in India. It would have been intriguing if he had played.

[Sameer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intersting read , how he never wanted to be a cricketer and we always hear we must have goals in life.

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t finish. He’s a bit whiney. Great cricketer though.

[Mayank · Rating 2 out of 5]

In one of the passages here, Curtly Ambrose describes the pitch for the third test at Edgbaston for West Indies tour to England - Season 1995 as 'peculiar'. To quote him, "It was a strange looking, terrible pitch and I didn't know what to make of it". The description fits the book, terrible part aside.
Ambrose sets the 'playing for pride' and 'embracing the challenges' template early and sticks to it throughout. He doesn't dig deep with his cricketing battles, insights and strategies and appear to be just scratching the surfaces. Rarely do we see the 'fast bowler's mindset'. He holds back here. And with Ambrose, you don't get to read much about his life off the field as well.
But this is an easy read. The odd passages where he starts speaking about his famous battles, life in the Caribbean and the politics in WICB are engaging reads and he doesn't lose you there. But these are few and far between.
Besides being one of the fiercest bowlers of all times, Ambrose has a reputation - 'Curtly talks to no one'. The book doesn't help much with that reputation.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't really give much of an insight into the character who came across as rather boring but an okay read.