) in Lara's

comer

By Tony Becca , and that you don't have to be a captain to play the game, Senior Sport Editor he finally made up his mind to make himself available on AST bowler Courtney Wednesday night - and for Walsh has declared his many reasons. Ffull support for new cap­ "I had to answer some ques­ tain . tions for myself. I did not know In a short press conference at if I still had the appetite for the yesterday in which game so I had to find out. That he confirmed his availability for is why the match against the first Test against England was important to me. I starting at Sabina Park on felt good during the match, and 29, January Walsh said his pri­ after the game I felt I could still ority is West Indies and compete at the highest level. he had no problems with Lara. "A lot of people spoke to me, "I have always considered I got a lot of letters and faxes, myself a pait of the team, and not only from here in West Indies cricket has been but from all the world, and good to me," said Walsh who I felt that a lot of people would was relieved of the captaincy probably feel betrayed if I did just over a week ago. not make myself available - and Opening the press conference they would also probably by saying that he wanted to end believe that I did not get along the controversy over the cap­ with Brian. I also feel that I will taincy and his availability, and come out a better person ,for it. also to bury it once and for all, "Another reason is that people Walsh said that he is available have been speculating that Brian for selection and will support will be getting a rough time Lara all the way. here, and that it would be worse "Of course I was disappointed if I did not play. I remembered losing the captaincy, but that's what happened at Chedwin Park not the end of the world," said (last October during Red Stripe the Jamaica captain. "I believe I Bowl match). I don't want that still have a part to play, we have happen again, and I am going to a new captain, and I want to be do everything to see that it does there with him. I want Brian and not happen." all the people in the Caribbean One of the reasons why Walsh to know that I will be support­ was undecided about his future ing him." in West Indies cricket was the According to Walsh, who said reaction if he failed. that he did not start as a captain, "I did not want to play, not do that he did not have to end as a well, and people start saying toni Of . \ Of JAMA}V N \TIONAL U!RARY r

Wq.e �lrau.er THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 1998

THE decision by will be the start of the drive back to make himself available to rep­ to the top, Courtney Walsh has resent the West Indies in the com­ man o Courtney- A quality once again demonstrated his qual­ ing Test series against England-is ity and class. hardly a surprise. Nothing less his region, the West Indies, and many years and so many battles, "You don't have to be a cap­ was expected from a cricketer even on the day after returning and to those who followed him tain to play the game," said who loves the game and who has COMMENT home from a long tour, his club onto the field, fought with him Walsh yesterday. always been a credit to the game. Melbourne. because he loves the game so through thick and thin, from That is quality, that is class, and Over the years, Walsh has been Regardless of what some con­ whom he expected their best, and much, not only because West · every Jamaican should be proud a true servant to the game - a sidered good reasons to have said Indies cricket has always been who were loyal to him. player who, despite his outstand­ of a great, unselfish Jamaican. In no, to have refused the call to close to his heart, but because in In resisting the temptation to ing achievements and his great­ fact, every West Indian should be play would have been uncharac­ doing so he would have been say­ say no, by deciding to play his ness, has always been ready to proud of a great West Indian - on teristic of Walsh - not only ing no to his colleagues of so part in what the West Indies hope represent his country1 Jamaica, ' and offthe field. \

N.� TIONAL UBRARY OF JAN\AI\...