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Two former West Indies cricket greats, Sir Garry Sobers and Clive Lloyd, are hoping Courtney Walsh will not be lost to West Indies cricket.

Lloyd, who was West Indies captain when Walsh made his entry into Test cricket against as a frail second-change bowler at Perth, Australia, in 1984 has hailed Walsh as a true champion.

"I don't think you'll find another Courtney Walsh around and if I was a young fast bowlers, I'd want to emulate him," Lloyd said.

"The West Indies Cricket Board and the Jamaica Cricket Board would do well to use his experience."

Sir Garry suggested that the 38-year-old Walsh could be used as a bowling coach to guide the crop of fast bowlers on the horizon.

"A man, who has been around for so long, doing so well, must know what he did to get such great success. There is nothing wrong with him as bowling coach - as long as he has a coaching certificate."

Walsh bowed out of international cricket in style when West Indies completed a 130-run triumph over South Africa in the fifth Test at Sabina Park on Monday.

Sir Garry said of Walsh's career: "It's a very great achievement. He was fantastic for the West Indies. I would like to congratulate him on all the achievements and wish him all the best in his new endeavours."

"The young crop of fast bowlers can take from him his dedication to West Indies and his ability to be always there, trying and giving 100 per cent in difficult conditions."

In a 17-year career, Walsh captured 519 wickets from 132 Tests - including a best of seven for 37 after he moved to the top of the all- time list of bowlers a month ago - fittingly in his native Jamaica.

"He has had a glorious career, he is a great cricketer and a great person," Lloyd remarked.

"He lasted much longer than most, he has kept himself fit and endured more than most fast bowlers. He is a great ambassador for the sport."

Though Walsh has officially retired from Test cricket, he confirmed that he has been asked by West Indies captain Carl Hooper to make himself available for the tour of Zimbabwe, starting June 17.

Jack Russell, the former England wicket-keeper, with whom Walsh formed a friendship during his 14 years at Gloucestershire, described him "the greatest fast bowler Gloucestershire have ever had".

Many of Russell's over 1 000 catches behind the stumps in first-class cricket, he owes to Walsh.

"He was committed to the county through and through and I never saw him not try his heart out," Russell said.

© The Barbados Nation