Gloucestershire summers are far removed from the Caibbean

Russell is embarking on his 22nd summer with the county, but will be sidelined for at least a month with a back injury.

The former England wicket-keeper has taken over 1,000 catches behind the stumps and owes many of those scalps to Walsh.

"He was definitely hard to keep wicket to," Russell remembers. "But it was also a pleasure.

"He used to change pace quite often which made life a little difficult.

"He would bowl a couple of balls that were not quite full zip and you would move a couple of yards closer only to field a lightning delivery that would hit you between the teeth."

However Russell also recalls that when the tall Jamaican was on song, and frequently moving the ball after it pitched, he was always liable to give him a chance.

"You always knew you were in the game and that something was going to happen when Courtney was bowling."

It invariably did, and Walsh had a huge impact soon after he arrived in Bristol in 1985.

The following year Walsh took 118 wickets at 18.17 to help propel Gloucestershire up the championship table.

Walsh always gives 100%

The West Indian was also the leading wicket taker in an English season in 1992, 1996 and 1998, his final season of county cricket when he claimed 106 scalps.

But Walsh gave much more to the county than just the wickets he took.

"He was a towering figure and all the lads looked up to him in more ways than one," Russell explains of the "six-foot odd" bowler.

"You can't find the words to match the respect for him in the changing room - he was one of the leaders.

"And one of his great assets is that he would always help people," Russell continues.

"Courtney wouldn't just go down to fine leg, he would always be involved, helping on the field and in the nets.

"To this day he still rings up Bristol to chat with the players."

Russell was not always fortunate enough to find himself in the same starting XI as Walsh and he describes it as a "little strange" when the pair played against each other at international level.

Russell had to be on his toes against the Windies

"When I played for England he tended to bowl quicker at me than anybody else.

"Everyone knew we were good mates and Courtney didn't want anyone to say he was giving me any free runs.

"He certainly didn't give me any - but he certainly gave me bruises and I've probably one or two left to prove it," Russell jokes.

"Courtney's a nightmare to play against but he gives 100% whoever he's playing for and you know what you're going to get.

"He's the greatest fast bowler I've ever played with or against - his record shows that as does the way he went about his cricket.

"However above everything else he's a great guy and a gentleman," Russell concludes.