Gibson confident of Shillingford’s return

Surprised that the test did not come back in their favour, says coach.

WELLINGTON: West Indies spinner Shane Shillingford was ‘gutted’ at being banned for using an illegal bowling action but hopes to return to international cricket soon, said national coach Ottis Gibson in New Zealand on Tuesday.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced late Monday that Shillingford had been banned indefinitely after an independent biomechanical analysis showed his action was illegal.

Carried out in Australia last month during their team’s second Test against India in Mumbai, the tests also found that Shillingford’s teammate, Marlon Samuels, was delivering an illegal quicker ball.

“Though I felt confident about the way the two players performed at the testing, the report did not come back in our favour,” said the surprised coach. “Shane is obviously quite upset over the issue.”

Gibson said the West Indies would work on a rehabilitation plan to bring Shillingford back in the shortest time possible.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 18^th, 2013.

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