BIRMINGHAM, JUNE 15: ``It was the best bowling friendship I had in my entire career.''That is how the record breaking Courtney Walsh describes his partnership with Curtly Ambrose in the 90 Tests they have spearheaded the West Indies bowling together.The 12-year old partnership will end at the end of the five-Test series against England when Ambrose retires, Walsh, the leading wicket-taker in Tests, has no immediate plans to quit.The pair has formed one of the most feared, if not the most lethal, new ball combination in world cricket. It will be an emotional day when the duo walk out for last time as West Indies fast bowlers in fifth Test at Oval in September.Walsh, 37, who recently overtook Kapil Dev's 434 wickets, said the secret behind their success was an understanding built over the years since the pair started to play together on Ambrose Test debut against Pakistan at Guyana in 1987-88.``Once we started bowling in tandem we had a good understanding and that helped a lot,'' Walsh said. ``It developed over the years. When we first started we were complete strangers. Now, I know his strengths and weaknesses and he knows mine. We discuss the opposition from time to time and we also discuss our own game. We pass on tips to youngsters.''``Just had enough,'' was the reasoning behind Ambrose's retirement. He has played all but three of his 93 Tests in the shadow of the 117-Test veteran Walsh.``There comes a time you have to leave and this is it,'' said Ambrose, 36.``We are friends, he is got the highest respect for me and I have got the highest respect for him,'' Ambrose added.Ambrose made his debut alongside the likes of late Malcolm Marshal.``I am a firm believer in learning and watching other people, the more experienced players,'' he said. ``That is what I did. I watched and learned and listened, asked questions when I was not sure. The more I played, the more experienced I became and better I became and finished product is now there.''``No regrets,'' he added. ``I got 12 wonderful years. It was not smooth sailing all the way, (but) at the end of the day I thank Lord for blessing me with whatever talent I had to perform for so long.''Ambrose greatest achievement?``Being able to play in a winning West Indies team is always a pleasure,'' he said. ``Currently, we are not the number one team in the world but we are not too far off.''Ambrose and Walsh have shared 258 English wickets in 59 Tests between them.Former skipper and batsman Brian Lara described Ambrose as a ``very unique'' person and said his presence in the dressing room will be missed.His contributions to West Indies cricket was tremendous, Lara said. ``He is very jovial and affable and he will be someone that will be missed. I have enjoyed my years of cricket with him.''Walsh needs just one more wicked to become the first bowler to take 450 Test wickets.``I am sure I can get one more in the next five Tests - 450 is my next goal,'' Walsh said.
