Unease over pending results on Shillingford, Samuels

CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh,  CMC– West Indies coach, Ottis Gibson, says he does not believe the International Cricket Council (ICC) should reveal the results of bowling tests conducted on Shane Shillingford and Marlon Samuels while the second test against New Zealand is underway.

The deadline for the report into their action passes midway through the Wellington Test and there is some anxiety in the West Indies camp as they wait to see how the ICC will handle releasing the results.

Gibson says he does not believe it is in anyone’s interest to reveal the results particularly if they are not favourable.

“The ICC, I suppose, would have an idea of what the findings might say now,” said Gibson.

“The Test starts on Wednesday, it would seem to me if nothing is said before then that they would wait until afterwards”. Shillingford and Samuels were tested in Perth on November 29, and the 14-day period for confirmation of the findings passed to the ICC will end on the third day of the test. The results become official when the ICC releases them via a press release.

“I don’t think it would be fair for them or us to issue the results in the middle of the game,” said Gibson.

“If anything is going to happen I’d prefer if it

happened before the game started.”

Shillingford had his doosra examined during the testing and Samuels his quicker ball after they were reported following the second Test against India in Mumbai.

Both players have previously been banned from bowling, Samuels in 2008 and Shillingford following his Test debut in November 2010.

“I’ve not heard anything from the ICC. Since we’ve done the testing we’ve left it to them,” Gibson said.

“They have to digest the report then give us the results. Everything else we do is just focus on cricket.