West Indies coach Gibson speaks up for Shillingford

Shane Shillingford

COLOMBO, (Reuters) – West Indies head coach Ottis  Gibson said the entire team were behind spin bowler Shane  Shillingford after he was reported by International Cricket  Council (ICC) officials for a suspected illegal bowling action  yesterday.
“I had a very good chat with Shane and he understands what  is going on. We are 100 percent behind Shane,” said Gibson.
The 27-year-old bowler was reported after the first test  against Sri Lanka, which ended in a draw in Galle on Friday.
“The entire team is behind him and he knows he has our full  support,” Gibson said. “Our job is to keep Shane focussed on the  upcoming match and the series.
“From what we have been told, he can play and he comes into  our thinking as normal as we look ahead to the match.
“As a team we are looking forward to the upcoming match.  Shane bowled very well for us in the last test and he’s a key  part of our bowling unit.”
The spinner, who took five wickets in the first test, was  given 21 days to submit to an independent analysis of his  bowling action.
The second test starts in Colombo on Tuesday.

Shane Shillingford
Shane Shillingford