Black Caps want answers on Windies spinners' bowling actions

Kingston (Jamaica), June 8 (IANS/CMC) New Zealand coach Mike Hesson says they will seek clarification from match officials on how they intend to enforce the restrictions on West Indies off-spinners Shane Shillingford and Marlon Samuels.

Both Shillingford and Samuels had their actions reported to the International Cricket Council (ICC) last November but were subsequently cleared. However, Shillingford has been banned from bowling the 'doosra' while Samuels has been prohibited from bowling his faster delivery.

With the likelihood that both could play in the first Test starting at Sabina Park here Sunday, the Black Caps team management is concerned.

“It's quite hard to see how they actually police that. It's all very well saying it but do they call a batsman back if he bowls a doosra? It's going to be an interesting discussion with the match referee. Same with Samuels, he's not allowed to bowl a quicker ball so we'll certainly get some clarification on those two things," Hesson said.

Shillingford has been one of West Indies’ trump cards in recent times, grabbing 65 wickets in his 14 Tests. He has already taken six five-wicket and two 10-wicket hauls. The Windward Islands spinner could be part of a two-man spin attack if the West Indies opt to also play Barbados left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn.

Hesson said they anticipated problems handling Benn as he was virtually an unknown quantity to them.

“He'll get more bounce and turn over here whereas in New Zealand they tended to slide on a lot more. Shillingford seems to be their first-choice spinner and Benn is back in favour. None of our guys have faced a lot of him and with his bounce and his height, he's going to ask some different questions," said Hesson.

--IANS/CMC
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