Shillingford’s problems, cricket administrator’s 'suspect action'

It was a victory that can be described as a diamond in the rough of what West Indies cricket has become over the last 15 years. Brian Lara said it was the ‘greatest cricketing experience’ of his life. Fast-bowling great Colin Croft commented that ‘the Windies put a lot of pride back into West Indian hearts’. It seemed the West Indies had ‘turned the corner’ after scoring a record breaking 418 for seven to beat world champions Australia on the 5^th day of the final Test match in Antigua on May 10 2003. We lost the series but who cared? We avoided a whitewash and thumped the Aussies in the process.

 Fans at a cricket match at Sabina Park in Kingston during the 

2007 World Cup

However, around every West Indies corner there is a mishap. Shortly after the match there was the numbing news that Jermaine Lawson had been reported for throwing. This was deeply unsettling. Not only had Lawson’s first innings haul of seven for 78 set up the win, but that spine-tingling bowling spell had a touch of yesteryear and signalled a bright future. His pace and bounce had the Aussies hopping and skipping like Kangaroos. Lawson was later suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC). He made a comeback after remedial work on his action but was called for throwing on a tour to Sri Lanka.

It is now 2010. The West Indies Cricket team has just returned from a creditable but rain hit tour of Sri Lanka where they did not lose a Test match; they did not win any either. Dominican spinner, Shane Shillingford was a standout in the first game where he took a career best four for 128. The 27-year-old was, however, reported for throwing in that match and now he has been suspended by the ICC.

Sad situation? Maybe. But the ineptitude of those in charge of West Indies cricket is mind-boggling. When the Jermaine Lawson issue emerged seven years ago, there was a lot of finger-pointing and shifting of blame. How could someone get to the highest form of the game with such a defect in his action not being detected? It turns out the kink had been spotted. Renowned West Indies cricket commentator, Tony Cozier had made the observation while watching Lawson in a youth game and alerted officials in Jamaica. Hardly anything happened. The lad was able to play youth cricket for Jamaica and the West Indies (Youth World Cup) and regional cricket for Jamaica before being shamed at the highest level.

Shillingford’s situation is not dissimilar. His suspect bowling action has been spoken about by cricket commentators in the Caribbean since he made his regional debut in 2000. Why, then does another young West Indian have to suffer the indignities of being called a ‘chucker’ or a ‘tosser’ while the vanguards of our cricket are left untouched?  

Shillingford’s profile on Cricinfo states, ‘having overcome the problems posed by a suspect action, he finally earned his maiden Test call...’ Well, he obviously did not overcome the problems. It would be very interesting to find out what kind of specialist work was done on his action; who were the persons involved and how long did the process take. For example, was there any kind of consultation with the ICC to see what was required for Shillingford to bowl within the rules of the game?

I know these questions are like threatening googlies to a hapless batsman, probably the likes of Courtney Walsh – the great man – despite which they will be left alone. Because this is how fans and well wishers of West Indies cricket have been treated by the cricketing ‘lords’ in the region in the past; left alone to work out what is happening to our lovely cricket.

Jermaine Lawson has wandered off into cricket nothingness, possibly taking our fast bowling hopes and dreams with him. Let us hope that Shane Shillingford does not suffer the same fate, for his and West Indies cricket sake. However, I cannot help but think that the administrators of the game in the region have let us down yet again.