Chanderpaul named Head Coach of Jamaica Tallawahs; Sir Curtly joins support staff

Legendary Guyana and West Indies cricketer Shivnarine Chanderpaul has been appointed Head Coach of the Jamaica Tallawahs for the 2022 season.

Chanderpaul’s long-time West Indian teammate Sir Curtly Ambrose will also join the franchise support staff for this year’s tournament, the Caribbean Premier League announced on Thursday.

Chanderpaul, the 47-year-old left-hander, played 164 Test matches, 268 One-Day Internationals and 22 T20 Internationals for the West Indies, scoring 20,988 runs. He made 30 Test hundreds and 11 tons in One-Day Internationals.

Krishna Persaud, the owner of the Jamaica Tallawahs, said: “Shivnarine has had an illustrious playing career and is one of the greats of the game. He has served West Indies cricket with distinction, and I know that he will take the Tallawahs to new heights.”

Reacting to the appointment, Chanderpaul, who averaged 51.37 in Tests and 41.60 in ODIs, said: “It’s an absolute honour to be appointed as the new Head Coach of the Jamaica Tallawahs and I am really looking forward to working with the players and support staff to being another championship to Jamaica.”

The Jamaica Tallawahs, inaugural winners of the tournament in 2013, won a second title in 2016.

Meanwhile, Sir Curtly, widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, will join the Tallawahs support staff as the Bowling Coach. The Antiguan has taken 405 Test wickets and 225 in ODIs, averaging 20.99 in Tests and 24.12 in ODIs.

Persaud said: “Sir Curtly brings a lot of technical expertise and experience to the Tallawahs and we look forward to having him with the team.”

The franchise has also appointed Jamaican Andre Coley as the Assistant Coach to Chanderpaul.