Colin Croft , a former West Indies fast bowler who is now a television and radio commentator and newspaper columnist, writes on Shane Shillingford and his bowling action.
Much of what I write irks. At nearly 58, having been victimized, vandalized, even scandalized, in most Caribbean territories, I could not care less. Somehow, I will live.Many might not like what I say, but they know that all I say is closest to the truth!
The situation with Shane Shillingford and his bowling action is as disappointing as it is frightening and enlightening. That he has been caught out is not his fault, but just listen to the noises now.
“We will support Shane fully in this situation!”
This is the fault of those in the system around him. In some sense, Shillingford is being victimized, and vandalized too, the subject of outright stupidity and insularity. I have great empathy with him. He has been hung out to dry.
Here is a quick story, as told by then West Indies captain Clive Lloyd.
On the 1980 West Indies tour of England, the fast bowlers were Michael Holding, Andy Roberts, Joel Garner, Colin Croft and Malcolm Marshall. Unbeknown to us, but known to Lloyd, senior players Deryck Murray and Viv Richards, and manager Clyde Walcott, West Indies fast bowlers were being scrutinized very closely – “filmed for throwing”.
It was supposedly thought that we were bowling much too quickly to be normal. There were never any overt accusations, but the results were very interesting indeed. None of us was found to be even remotely close to delivering illegally. One “independent” judge, John Edrich, former England opener, told me much later; “I could not believe how straight you blokes’ arms were; especially you, Crofty!”
Amazingly, what was found was that for all of my movements and contortions in delivery, my bowling arm was calculated to be the straightest of them all!
The object of this short history is that the eyes do not always see what you think they do. Conversely, they see much more that most of us even realize; images set on the mind. Seasoned commercial pilots, in simulation, and real life too, have been known to think that they were flying normally, when, indeed, the airplane was actually upside down. Ask the Federal Aviation Authority. Some have died that way. What you see is not always what you get.
Shillingford has been found to be over the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) bowling extension limit – 15 degrees – by at least two degrees. I can bet you this. Many are not surprised. However, this is a terrible indictment on our entire cricket system.
Shillingford has been playing for Windward Islands since 2001 – ten years – 63 first-class games, five Tests, 244 wickets in total. Yet, everyone had a say on his action, mostly negative. Ask scribes and especially other players!
From Jamaica: “Rahtid; him ah fling bad, bwoy!”; to Guyana: “Duh man peltin’ bad, budday!”; to Trinidad and Tobago: “Papa, dah man stonin’, bhoy!” – it was always the same! Yet, no one, regardless of what they say now, sought to correct this. The lad has been sent to the wolves by people looking at their own shadows.
Many highly recognized Caribbean umpires have officiated throughout this guy’s career. What exactly have they, or West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) done to try to help Shane overcome this situation? Why did it have to come to this massive embarrassment? How did we get here?
Having a camera does not make one a cameraman. I have always had good cameras all my adult life. Still, knowing my limitations, I am an amateur, even with much knowledge of aperture.Two recent situations about bowling actions, and legality, come to mind – Mukesh Persaud, former Trinidad and Tobago off-spinner, and Jermaine Lawson, former Jamaica and West Indies fast bowler.
It was suggested, unscientifically, that Persaud delivered illegally. No one ever properly tested his delivery arm for flex angle. Yet, by insinuation, he was drummed out of Trinidad and Tobago’s senior team, just when he was making his mark. He still plays club cricket – so, apparently, no problem.
Lawson’s case was much worse. He also had a suspect action from the get-go. By this time, the WICB had a developmental arm, with purview to look after our youth. Lawson had also been developing into a match-winning West Indies bowler.
The WICB had even set up a bowling committee, to check, oversee, and report on the legality of West Indies bowlers. The commitee consisted of David Holford, Brian Davis and Colin Croft – one fast bowler, one slow bowler, and one batsman; a very useful and extremely honest mix.
After Lawson’s seven for 78 in that historic match in 2003, in which West Indies made 418-7 to win the fourth Test against Australia at the ARG, a massive noise was heard around the world about his bowling action. He eventually had to have remedial work done. That was not the end of the story.
In 2004, I was sent to Grenada to check his progress as he played against Bangladesh for West Indies “A”. I reported that even without technology, which we did also use, to confirm, his action was the same. He still had problems. I still have the report. Nothing was done, I believe. Lawson soon played again internationally, was again officially reported for illegal bowling action, and that was that – dead and done.
Since I have not heard from the WICB for ages, and with a new administration, I also assume that West Indies bowling committee is now defunct. In one sense, I mostly blame Caribbean umpires; in another, I exonerate them, for this. Their hands are tied; their situation a dangerous two-edged sword.
Most are scared stiff to make adverse reports on any bowler, less that umpire becomes an ex-umpire. Victimization and insularity are still rampant. Thus, umpires have become poorer, and worse, disrespected, in these parts. Also, could you imagine the coaches, managers or representatives of Windward Islands even suggesting that Shillingford’s action needed rectification? No, I cannot either.
Conversely, the umpires here have no real help. Unlike in Australia and England, where all umpires do 95 per cent of their work, if not 100 per cent, in the seeking eyes of television, to help in decision-making and improvements, most of the Caribbean’s umpires do no more than five per cent, if that much, with television available. Their situation is almost untenable.How Shillingford stands up here will show how resilient he really is. Most of us have had to overcome some adversity in sports. Hopefully, he can too!
