DUNEDIN – West Indies coach Ottis Gibson says he is confident that Shane Shillingford and Marlon Samuels will receive positive news on their bowling actions following tests conducted in Perth.
Shillingford and Samuels are free to continue their international careers pending the report on their actions, expected in 14 days.
“The initial feedback from the people doing the testing was positive,” Gibson said.
“The ICC set these rules or guidelines and the players have adhered to everything they were asked to do. We get a report in 14 days and we hope it’s a positive one so the players can put the episode behind them and focus on their cricket.”
Shillingford, Samuels and Gibson arrived in Dunedin last Sunday morning – shortly before West Indies’ first training session of the tour – having travelled directly to Perth after the One-Day series in India.
Both players had their actions reported during the second Test against India, in Mumbai, and the ICC regulations required them to be tested within 21 days.
Samuels and Shillingford were included in the final eleven for the first Test against New Zealand. Shillingford was included after Gibson had earlier said he would look into the bowler’s mindset prior to the match.
“When we travelled back on the plane we spoke about it. It’s tough for them, but I thought they coped with it quite well and will definitely come into the reckoning for this Test,” Gibson said.
“Marlon bats for us more so than bowls so it shouldn’t be an issue for him.”
The members of West Indies’ squad who arrived from the One-Day series in India are said to be still struggling to shake off jet lag and a temperature change of about 20 degrees.
“The biggest problem at the moment is getting everyone sleeping properly,” Gibson admitted.
“They are still up at 2 and 3 a.m. It’s been a bit disjointed but it’s up to us to accept that. That’s all I’m asking the guys to do – forget about the flights and stuff and focus on the cricket.”
Also yesterday, vice captain and wicketkeeper/batsman Denesh Ramdin said the team would need to successfully get through the initial exchanges in the first Test to set the tone for the rest of the series.
“It looks like a good batting track,” said Ramdin, one of only two players that have ever played a Test in this country.
“The first day is going to very important – the first hour. Whoever wins the toss will have to make the most of the opportunity either batting or bowling first.”
He added: “It’s not like the Caribbean where you can hit through the line. You have to assess the conditions and bat very long.
“The New Zealanders are going to bowl in [good] areas and try to get wickets early, so we will need to work hard as a batting group.” (BA/PR)
