SHANE’S SHILLINGFORD’S fledgling international career has been bowled a no-ball.
The tall West Indies off-spinner, who made a promising Test debut earlier this year, has been suspended from bowling in international cricket by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for what experts deem to be an illegal action.
A comprehensive analysis has revealed that his mean elbow extension is 17 degrees, which is above the 15 degrees level of tolerance permitted under the relevant regulation.
In a media release yesterday, the ICC said the 27-year-old Shillingford could apply for re-assessment of his action after he had modified it in accordance with clause 2.4 of the regulations for the review of bowlers reported with suspected illegal bowling actions.
Analysis
The independent analysis was performed by Professor Bruce Elliott, a member of the ICC panel of human movement specialists, at the School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, University of Western Australia (UWA), Perth on December 9.
In reacting to the news, West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) chief executive officer Dr Ernest Hilaire said the regional governing body would offer full support to Shillingford.
“The WICB has received the report on Shane’s action and will consult with experts and formulate a suitable plan of action, and hopefully he can continue his international career in the shortest possible time,” Hilaire said.
“The WICB and the team management unit remain confident in his ability to perform at the highest level and see this latest development as a challenge which has been placed before him.
“Shane is a tough cricketer who arrived on the international stage via the difficult route after years of toil on the regional circuit.
“We have no doubt that he will emerge from this test of his character.”
Shillingford has the right to appeal against UWA’s conclusions to the bowling review group in accordance with clause 2.3 of the regulations.
Should he choose to appeal, he must lodge written notification with the ICC within 14 days of receiving the report.
Shillingford was reported by on-field umpires Steve Davis and Richard Kettleborough, along with TV umpire Asad Rauf, and fourth umpire Tyron Wijewardena after the first Test of the recent series against Sri Lanka. He bowled impressively to claim a four-wicket haul in the first innings of that match.
He looked a shadow of himself in the second Test in which he was wicketless in 15 overs that cost 73 runs and he was dropped for the third Test.
Shillingford was not picked for the limited-overs series against Sri Lanka that was subsequently postponed because of bad weather but he was yesterday named in a 30-man preliminary squad for the 2011 World Cup starting on February 19.
It is likely that he will be withdrawn from the squad.
It is uncertain whether he will remain part of the Windward Islands squad for the Caribbean Twenty20 Tournament from January 10 to 23. (HG/PR)