'We'll play Test in Shillingford's honour'
West Indies manager Richie Richardson says they will play the third Test against New Zealand for spinner Shane Shillingford, after he was suspended by the ICC for an illegal bowling action earlier this week.
West Indies manager Richie Richardson says they will play the third Test against New Zealand for spinner Shane Shillingford, after he was suspended by the ICC for an illegal bowling action earlier this week.
Shillingford, the Windies' top wicket-taker this year, was suspended from all international cricket until another report could be made, while Marlon Samuels was banned from bowling his quicker deliveries.
The Black Caps lead the series one-nil after their huge win in Wellington, and will go into the third and final Test in Hamilton full of confidence as Shillingford had proven to be a real handful.
Richardson said: "We realise it's very important for us to focus on the test match starting in a couple of days' time, we need to win this test match, and we don't have Shane but we're going to do it for him.
"It's sad but you're playing at the highest level, you're playing international cricket, and you can't afford to go into a test match with things at the back of your mind.
"You've just got to focus on what's ahead of you, and our focus right now is to win this test match and win it for Shane."
Windies coach Ottis Gibson said he was surprised by the ICC's findings, saying: "Though I felt confident about the way the two players performed at the testing, the report did not come back in our favour.
"Shane is obviously gutted, but Marlon's role in the team, as I have said previously, is primarily as a batsman, so the impact on him is a little bit less.
"They are both tough characters and have had their share of ups and downs in the game over the years. We have no doubt that they will emerge from this latest setback with the utmost confidence."
Latest
-
-
T20 World CupOnline abuse and violence: The ugly fallout from Pakistan’s win over India
Prominent India players have spoken out against the abuse directed at Mohammed Shami.
-
T20 World Cup‘We’ll take this confidence forward in the tournament’ – Babar Azam
Pakistan were made to sweat for a bit but came through with flying colours.
-
T20 World CupT20 World Cup result: Pakistan labour to second victory vanquishing Black Caps
Pakistan completed a five-wicket victory with seven balls to spare.
-
The AshesJos Buttler labels Ben Stokes’ return ‘a massive boost’ for England
The England all-rounder has been added to the Ashes squad after a break from the game.
-
T20 World CupMatthew Cross: Scotland have put their heavy defeat to Afghanistan behind them
The Scots face Namibia on Wednesday, two days after they were beaten in their first T20 World Cup group game.
-
T20 World CupQuinton de Kock’s withdrawal over CSA knee mandate overshadows Proteas victory
Cricket South Africa had issued a directive that all players should take the knee and the wicketkeeper pulled out ahead of the eight-wicket win.
-
T20 World Cup‘We stand against any form of discrimination,’ says England star Jos Buttler
Quinton de Kock missed South Africa’s game with the West Indies after he refused to take a knee.
-
T20 World CupKieron Pollard is not pointing fingers after West Indies go down again
Lendl Simmons’ 35-ball 16 has drawn fire from critics who feel he needed to let loose.
-
T20 World CupTemba Bavuma lauds Aiden Markram’s allround contribution
Temba Bavuma also addressed Quinton de Kock’s withdrawal from the team just before the start of the match.