‘You are not Curtly Ambrose’: Ian Healy sledges West Indies quick ahead of Australia Tests | Cricket News

Ian Healy may have long retired from Test cricket, but the former wicketkeeper has come up with another brutal sledge ahead of Australia’s first Test against West Indies starting Wednesday in Barbados. After West Indies quick Shamar Joseph sent out a warning note to young Australian opener Sam Konstas, Healy has stepped in to say, “You are not Curtly Ambrose champ.”
In the absence of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, Australia have given call ups to Konstas and Josh Inglis. Konstas, who made an impressive debut against India Down Under, is set to start the first Test giving himself a good chance to prove his credentials ahead of the Ashes later this year.
And Joseph, who famously bowled West Indies to a thrilling over Australia at the Gabba in 2024, sent a message to Konstas saying, “just look out, that’s all.”
Story continues below this ad

Reacting to it, Healy said, “He’s (Joseph) picked on the 19 year-old again,” Healy told SENQ Breakfast co-host Corey Parker. “He’s had a terrible year since he went through us at the Gabba. He had this toe that had blown up and didn’t think he could play, he got out of his injury bed after someone said just come down and try it, and then he realised ‘oh you can play with pain. Shamar has come out today and said (to Konstas)’ just look out and watch what is coming’.
“OK Shamaar well you’ve delivered crap all year. So he better improve, that’s what I’m saying in the dressing room. He’s got real trouble. You’re not Curtly Ambrose champ,” Healy said in a pointed reference.
Though Konstas has just kick-started his Test career, he has already been involved in a couple of heated exchanges including one with Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah. And ahead of their series, Joseph used the press conference to send a message to the opener, which the Australian sides of the past have done consently.
Australia are going to the series without Labuschagne, who has been dropped from the team after a string of low scores. Healy said, Labuschagne has it in him to make a quick comeback. “They’re still, you know, recognizing his value, and they (the selectors) expect him to work his way through it. He’s only 30/31. He’s got time. I would certainly put it up as a suggestion, Marnus to Glamorgan and give him a lot of breathing space and time to really. Now that it’s done, you know, the uncertainty whether I’m gonna get dropped or whether I’m playing. That’s been probably the last 6 months for him. Now he can breathe. Now get your technique right and get playing.”