Ambrose on way out?

Port-of-Spain - Curtly Ambrose may have played his last game for the West Indies, according to a Trinidad newspaper.

The Weekend Independent, quoting what it said were reliable sources within the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), said Ambrose had angered the WICB because of his state of fitness in Sharjah where the West Indies played a limited-overs series last month.

"Ambrose arrived for the Sharjah tour clearly underprepared and unfit and was in no condition to play up to his high standard," the paper quoted an insider as saying, according to a CANA report.

"He was clearly inactive for a long time which caused him to be sore and unable to bowl properly.

"This is not acceptable because Ambrose was expected to set the proper example for his younger players."

The Independent said the West Indies selectors might have to soon make a tough decision on the future of Ambrose who broke down in Sharjah and missed the just-ended Red Stripe Bowl.

"It is possible that very soon the selectors will have to choose only one of the veteran fast bowlers on overseas tours, and it is expected that it will be Curtly Ambrose who may feel the axe.

"As it is clear that Courtney Walsh places more emphasis on his fitness and on his discipline than most of the West Indies fast bowlers (and) is within striking distance of a world record, it would be impossible to drop him now."

The Independent said that there was some discussion within the WICB on whether or not someone in authority should properly speak to Ambrose about his future and his fitness, so that a decision could be made on his future. But it was acknowledged that some were of the view that a half-fit Ambrose was better than one of the younger bowlers.