West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) officials have pledged their full support for Shane Shillingford, after he was reported for a suspected illegal bowling action.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced recently that the bowling action of the West Indies off-spinner is now under review, after concerns from the umpires, following the first Test against Sri Lanka, which ended in a draw.
WICB spokesman Imran Khan said there is a well-established process in place for dealing with this, and that process will be allowed to take place.
Shillingford’s delivery of the doosra, which ironically was conceptualized by champion off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, raised a few eyebrows during the television coverage of the Test at Galle International Stadium – and it would appear, so too, among the match officials.
The 27-year-old Shillingford had match figures of five for 202 in the Test and was a genuine threat to the Sri Lanka batting on a turning pitch.
The ICC said in a release “The umpires’ report has cited concern over the straightening of Shillingford’s arm while bowling some deliveries to the degree that may constitute an illegal action.”
Shillingford will now have to submit to an independent analysis of his bowling action, which will be conducted by a member of the ICC panel or human movement specialists.
The analysis and report must take place within 21 days of the report being received by the WICB.
The ICC media release noted that Match Referee Alan Hurst presented a copy of the umpires’ report to West Indies manager Joel Garner.
Shillingford will be permitted to continue bowling but this leaves him open to be called for throwing under Law 24.2 of the game and the consequences of the law must apply.
Shillingford becomes the second West Indies bowler to be reported for a suspected illegal bowling action.
Seven years ago, Jermaine Lawson suffered a similar situation during the home series against Australia.
