Sammy supports 'thrower'

Sporting News Logo

West Indian captain Darren Sammy has thrown his support behind off-spinner Shane Shillingford.

The 27-year-old was reported by umpires Steve Davis and Richard Kettleborough for bowling with a suspect action during the first Test between Sri Lanka and West Indies last week.

The umpires raised concern over the straightening of the spinner's arm on some deliveries.

It was a blow to the promising spinner - who snared five wickets in his fourth Test - but Sammy joined West Indies coach Ottis Gibson in offering their support to Shillingford.

"I am surprised. We have been informed by the match referee and other people who made that decision," Sammy said.

"It's beyond our control. We are just supporting Shane and helping him along to come through the second Test. I can tell you is that Shane will be getting the full support of all the squad members and the coaching staff."

Gibson also said the team was behind Shillingford and said they will pick him in the second Test, which starts on Tuesday in Colombo.

"We are 100 percent behind Shane," Gibson said.

"The entire team is behind him and he knows he has our full support. Our job is to keep Shane focused on the upcoming match and the series."

Shillingford is eligible for the match because he has 21 days from the time the West Indies Cricket Board received the report from the ICC to submit an independent review of his action.

He is eligible until the WICB receives a copy of the assessment, meaning a twin-pronged spin attack with the returning left-armer Sulieman Benn is a real possibility.

"When we meet at a selection committee we'll look at the balance of the team and see what's the best 11 to represent West Indies. Sulieman and Shane are options to consider," Sammy said.

All-rounder Sammy only recently took up the West Indian Test captaincy from Chris Gayle but is proud of his players after the first Test draw, saying they had restored pride in their nation.

But Sammy is also under no illusions that Sri Lanka will fight back.

"When we left the Caribbean we said that we are going to Sri Lanka to compete and restore pride of Caribbean cricket. We did that in the last Test. Right now it's all about being consistent and improving on our performances," he said.

"Sri Lanka are one of the best teams in the world. We are expecting them to come back strong. I hope they will come hard on us. But we have prepared sufficiently."

Author(s)