Kolkata: One of the lingering images from April 3 at the Eden Gardens, three weeks down the line, has been that of Curtly Ambrose flashing three fingers at the camera. The legendary fast bowler, who was part of the World Twenty20-winning West Indies squad as their bowling coach was referring to their triple crown - both the men and women’s World Cups that evening which was preceded by the Under-19 World Cup triumph in Bangladesh earlier this year.

For the fearsome fast bowler which ended his career with 405 Test wickets and 225 One-day scalps, a World Cup triumph as a coach must be a redemption of sorts as Ambrose could not win one as a player. In a freewheeling chat with Gulf News, Ambrose spoke about the reasons of their triumph as well as a number of other issues. Following are the excerpts:

What are the main reasons for winning the T20 World Cup this time?

Very simple, we were the best side. We have nine match-winners in our team and anyone of them could play a major role to change the colour of the match. Brthwaite’s four sixers in four deliveries in the last over at the Eden Gardens will vindicate my previous statement.

You mean to say you knew that your batsmen will score 19 runs in the last over?

Nobody can predict anything. We played excellent cricket right through the tournament and the Almighty stretched his helping hand towards us in the last over. Ultimately we won and that is important.

What is your role as the bowling coach?

To guide the bowlers and make them feel comfortable by providing them some inputs about batsmen from the opposition team.

You are now Sir Curtly Ambrose, but the news did not attract much attention in the world media.

What can I do? It is upto the media persons to write about the Knighthood for which I am very proud. It was almost a bolt from the blue. I did not expect it at all. I am thankful to the Antiguan government...but it happened in 2014. Not only me, knighthood was awarded to Andy Roberts and Richie Richardson in the same function.

Is it true that your mother Hillie was a great fan of Australian legend Ray Lindwall?

Yes, she was. That is why my full name is Curtley Lynwall Ambrose. Their was a spelling mistake when the naming ceremony took place. So “Lindwall” became “Lynwall’.

You are the only cricketer from SWEATS village in Antigua who played for West Indies. Any other cricketer who is coming up from your island?

Unfortunately not. They are concentrating on football these days.

Is it true that ex-England captain Mike Atherton was your bunny? You got him out 17 times in Test cricket.

I wont be able to say whether he was a bunny or not, but the number is correct. I got him out for 17 times in five-day format.

Name any one batsman whom you found difficult to dislodge?

Javed Miandad. Nobody could realise when he reached 50...he was a champion batsman. I did not like to bowl to him at all.

From an impoverished childhood, you have been awarded the highest honour of your island. How has been the journey?

Yes, I have seen abject poverty. My father left us in Antigua and went to Virginia island in America in order to earn more money, but the family was on my mother’s shoulder. She had to work in a potato field to feed us, but she never allowed us to be indisciplined. I owe it to my mom for whatever I am today.