CWI suspends Shane Shillingford

CWI suspends Shane Shillingford
Associated Press / Arnulfo Franco

Former West Indies Test off-spinner Shane Shillingford has been suspended by Cricket West Indies (CWI) for an illegal action, ruling him out of the third round of the Regional Four-Day Championship, which started last week.

According to Dominica Broadcasting Service (DBS), Shillingford was bowling for the Windward Islands Volcanoes first round match against Guyana Jaguars in St. Lucia when he was detected for the illegal action.

Video footage was subsequently sent to England for analysis, confirming the suspicion of match officials.

Shillingford was not named in the Volcanoes 13-man squad to face Jamaica Scorpions at Sabina Park last week.

DBS radio said that the 35-year-old Dominican could appeal the decision or now undergo rehabilitation work on his action.

It is not the first time Shillingford has found himself in trouble with officials over his action.

He only returned to bowling in 2014 after being slapped with an International Cricket Council (ICC) ban for an illegal action.

Shillingford had been reported in 2013 during the second Test against India in Mumbai and was suspended later that year, after tests revealed his arm breached the 15 degree limit while bowling off-breaks and doosras.

He was also banned from bowling in 2010 and cleared to return the following year.

Shillingford is the region’s leading spinner with 572 wickets from 128 first class matches and 106 wickets from 69 List A class matches.

He has taken 70 wickets from 16 Tests, but played his last Test five years ago against New Zealand.