Shillingford elated with retainer contract offer

ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – West Indies off-spinner Shane Shillingford says he is elated to have been offered a central retainer contract from the West Indies Cricket Board.

Shillingford, who has played three Test matches since making made his debut against South Africa earlier this year, is one of 14 players offered central retainer contracts by the WICB for the period October 1st 2010 to September 30th 2011.

“The selector called me and asked me if I was interested in a receiving a contract from the West Indies Cricket Board. I told him straight off that I would be very interested,” the 27-year-old Dominican said.

“I must say that I am very pleased at this latest development. As soon as I got the contract, I went through it and I am very happy to have been offered such a contract.

“The awarding of the contract simply means that I am now a more determined cricketer and that I have to train even harder and work on all aspects of my game.”

Shillingford, a consistent performer in the regional first class tournament over the years, snatched 28 wickets in this year’s championship to once again force himself into reckoning for selection.

He performed outstandingly on the West Indies A team tour of Bangladesh and was subsequently called up for the senior team series against South Africa.

Shillingford has so far taken nine wickets in three Tests at an average of 57.

He was one of six new players handed retainer contracts along with the Trinidadian trio of Kieron Pollard, Adrian Barath and Darren Bravo, Jamaican left arm spinner Nikita Miller and Grenadian pacer Nelon Pascal.