10 facts about Shane Shillingford: The deceptive Windies off spinner

Shane Shillingford had become the spin bowling spearhead of the West Indies team for a brief while. His ability to bowl the doosra was his greatest feature. The West Indies team, which has a history of producing fast bowlers, haven’t had any significant spin bowling talent in their team for a long period of time. The last time West Indies had any spinner of Shillingford’s distinct calibre was Sonny Ramadhin in the 1950’s. However, after a limited period of success, his career hit road block after suspicion over his action. The off-spinner has been struggling to make a comeback since then. Here are some interesting facts about Shane Shillingford.

1. Birth:

Shane Shillingford was born on February 22, 1983, in Dublanc, Dominica.

2. Early cricket career:

He made his debut for the Windward Islands in the year 2000/01

3. Getting the breakthrough:

After toiling in the domestic circuit for more than 10 years, he got his first chance to represent the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) in the year 2010. Shillingford made his Test debut on 10 June 2010 in the home series against South Africa.

4. Suspect Action:

After his debut Test match, he was called for suspect action as he bent his arm more than 17 degrees. The ICC asked him to remodel and reassess his action.

5. International Return:

Shillingford went to the Sagicor High-Performance Centre to work on his bowling action for three-months. After testing in May 2011, it was announced that Shillingford’s action was legal and he would be allowed to resume bowling in international cricket. He made his comeback in the tour to Bangladesh in September 2011.

6. Best bowling figures:

Shillingford took 6/49 against Zimbabwe in 2013 to register his best bowling figure in Test.

7. Unique Record:

Shane in the home series against Australia picked up his first ten-wicket haul, and also being first West Indian spinner to take ten wickets in a test since Lance Gibbs in 1966.

 8. Record breaking 10th wicket partnership:

on June 11, 2014, In the 1st Test against New Zealand at Sabina Park in Kingston.  Shillingford put on 81 runs off 56 balls for the 10th wicket with Sulieman Benn, the highest 10th wicket partnership ever at Sabina Park.

9. 25 ball blitz:

Whilst forming the record breaking 10th wicket stand, Shillingford also smashed the third fastest fifty in Tests. He scored fifty off just 25 deliveries.

10. Career:

Shillingford played only 17 Tests and snapped up 70 wickets in those matches. He recorded two ten wicket hauls and 6 five wicket hauls.