JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Left-arm pacer Sheldon Cottrell got his tour off on the right foot with an impressive five-wicket haul as the West Indies dominated the South Africa Invitational XI on the opening day of their three-day fixture at Willowmoore Park on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old said he enjoyed bowling on the helpful surface at the Willowmoore Park as he troubled the youthful local batsmen with pace and swing. He ended with figures of five wickets for 16 runs off 6.1 overs as the home-side were bowled out for just 125.
At the close, West Indies motored to 217-2 off just 47 overs – an overall lead of 92. Marlon Samuels batted beautifully for 103 not out – off 102 balls with 19 fours; while Devon Smith is unbeaten on 82 – with 12 fours and a six. The pair has so far added 182 for the third wicket.
Please see below quick quotes as Cottrell spoke to members of the media:
On his five-wicket performance:
It was a wonderful day for me. The right kind of start I was looking for on the tour. I was happy to get the new ball and I just ran in and looked to bowl with pace and troubled the batsmen. I was pleased with the way I was able to get it (ball) to swing and also the extra pace and bounce. That was a good confidence-booster for me. The conditions are suitable to fast bowling and as a fast bowler I love to see the ball fly off the pitch.
On possible selection for the 1st Test Match:
I’m open-minded. Once the selectors select me I know my task and once they pick me I know what my job is. I’m willing to do that job if called on to play in the first match next week – it’s a big opportunity. I’m looking forward to any and every opportunity.
On recovery from injury:
I was out for around five weeks and it was a bit doubtful if I would make this tour. Playing in the Professional Cricket League back home gave me some much-needed right kind of work as I took five wickets in the last match (for Jamaica against Trinidad & Tobago) so it gave me a confidence booster coming into this tour.
FULL SQUAD
Denesh Ramdin (Captain)
Sulieman Benn
Jermaine Blackwood
Kraigg Braithwaite
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Sheldon Cottrell
Assad Fudadin
Shannon Gabriel
Jason Holder
Leon Johnson
Kemar Roach
Marlon Samuels
Devon Smith
Jerome Taylor
Chadwick Walton
SCHEDULE OF MATCHES
December 10-12: vs SA Invitational XI – Willowmore Park, Benoni
December 17-21: 1st Test – SuperSport Park, Centurion
December 26-30: 2nd Test – St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth
January 2-6: 3rd Test – Newlands, Cape Town
January 9: 1st T20I – Newlands, Cape Town
January 11: 2nd T20I – New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
January 14: 3rd T20I – Kingsmead, Durban
January 16: 1st ODI – Kingsmead, Durban
January 18: 2nd ODI – New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
January 21: 3rd ODI – Buffalo Park, East London
January 25: 4th ODI – St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth
January 28: 5th ODI – SuperSport Park, Centurion
TOUR NOTES:
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