West Indies cricket legend Curtly Ambrose delivered an inspiring message to the USA team following their closely fought loss to South Africa on June 19. Despite the defeat, Ambrose commended the USA side for their strong performance, acknowledging their resilience and competitive spirit throughout the match in Antigua.
South Africa had set a challenging target of 194 for 4 in their 20 overs, but the USA remained in contention largely due to Andries Gous' impressive 80-run innings. Ultimately, they fell short by 18 runs in a thrilling encounter.
Ambrose, who visited the USA dressing room after the match, emphasised that the team should take pride in their efforts and see it as a stepping stone for future games. He encouraged them not to feel disheartened by the loss, emphasising that they had nothing to be ashamed of.
His message to the USA players was one of encouragement and belief. He urged them to maintain confidence in their abilities, advising them not to be intimidated by any opponent they face. Ambrose emphasised the importance of enjoying their cricket, highlighting that passion and enjoyment are crucial for success.
"Even though you lost, you played a great game. You can build on this for the other games. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Nothing to be embarrassed about. You played a damn good game against a good team," Ambrose said, expressing his belief that the USA team can improve and achieve better results in the future.
He concluded by wishing them the best going forward and reminded them that with belief, resilience, and enjoyment, they can achieve positive outcomes in their upcoming matches. His words of wisdom and encouragement left a lasting impression on the USA team, inspiring them to continue their journey with confidence and determination.