Sammy holds back from blasting Shillingford's suspension

Hamilton, Dec 19 (IANS/CMC) West Indies captain Darren Sammy has stopped short of openly criticising the suspension of off spinner Shane Shillingford by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Sammy has conceded that he would like to have commented extensively but has held back from direct comments on the decision to ban Shillingford on the grounds that his bowling action was illegal.

"I'd love to spill my guts out and say what I have to say," Sammy said Wednesday.

"No matter what the situation, there is a procedure in which things are done. I've always been one who's stuck by the rules. I don't want find myself in any compromising situation."

Reports from Hamilton, New Zealand, say there is a strong sense that the West Indies feel harshly treated after Shillingford's suspension whose doosra and traditional offspinner were found to breach the 15-degree limit laid down by the ICC.

Marlon Samuels was allowed to continue his off-break delivery in international cricket, but banned from bowling his quicker balls.

Coach Ottis Gibson has said that Shillingford and Samuels will receive the full support of the West Indies Cricket Board.

"I would have loved to say a lot of things but I've always been a diplomatic guy so won't take part in that. We all have our personal opinions. Some have voiced it and we'll just put all our energy into this Test," said Sammy.

"The board and coach and director of cricket at home are going to handle it and I'm backing them to handle it in the best possible way for us as a team and especially for Shilly and Marlon."

It is the second time the Dominican bowler has been suspended from international cricket after a similar suspension in 2010.

The WICB is studying the full report before deciding on their next course of action but Gibson has said that work to rehabilitate Shillingford's bowling will begin in the New Year.

--IANS/CMC

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