Antigua and Barbuda Falcons assistant coach and bowling consultant Sir Curtly Ambrose says the team’s historic Caribbean Premier League triumph came as no surprise to him, despite the franchise entering the tournament as underdogs.

The Falcons captured their maiden CPL championship on Sunday, defeating the Jamaica Kingsmen by eight wickets at Kensington Oval in Barbados.

Ambrose said few people gave the Falcons much of a chance when the tournament began, but the players and coaching staff believed from the outset that they had a squad capable of going all the way.

“When we started the CPL tournament, not many gave us a chance to qualify, let alone win the championship,” Ambrose said. “We knew that we had a great team that is capable of not only winning games, but winning the championship.”

The West Indies fast-bowling legend said being viewed as underdogs actually worked in the Falcons’ favour because it allowed the team to compete without the weight of outside expectations.

Ambrose also credited head coach Paul Nixon with creating a relaxed environment in which players were encouraged to work hard, enjoy their cricket and maintain confidence in one another.

“Coach Nixon always stressed that: no pressure. We work hard, we play together as a team, we enjoy what we do and we reap the benefits,” Ambrose said.

The championship provided an added celebration for Ambrose, who turned 63 on Monday, one day after the Falcons secured the title.

The Falcons chased 171 for victory with 20 balls remaining, led by Amir Jangoo’s unbeaten 57 from 34 deliveries.

The victory marked the first CPL championship for the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Sir Curtly Ambrose: Falcons Always Believed They Could Win CPL Championship.