Change of tactics deceived Zimbabwe, says Shillingford

ROSEAU, Dominica,  CMC-In-form West Indies off spinner Shane Shillingford says a change in his bowling tactics helped trigger the demise of Zimbabwe on the first day of their second test at Windsor Park Wednesday.

Shillingford employed a strategy of bowling wider of the off stump to deceive the Zimbabwe batsmen who were scoring constantly from sweep shots.

The visitors collapsed for 175 as the Dominican, bowling in front his home crowd, finished the innings with five for 59.

“When I saw them sweeping I was happy. For the right-handers, when they tried to sweep I tried not to bowl too straight but to bowl a little wider of the off-stump,” said Shillingford.

Shillingford deceived the Zimbabwe batsmen
Shillingford deceived the Zimbabwe batsmen

“I noticed they then changed their game plan. I felt our change of tactics worked quite well and we held them very tight. They had to look for other ways to score their runs.”

Shillingford got turn and bounce and was almost unplayable as he followed up last week’s Man-of-the-Match performance in Barbados of nine wickets, including a career-best 6-49 in the second innings at Kensington Oval.
He has now taken 14 wickets in the series.

“It was a great day for me. It was wonderful to come out here and get more wickets in front of my home supporters and my family,” said the 30-year old.

“Last year I got 10 wickets here against Australia, so this year I’m looking to get even more”.