GALLE, Sri Lanka, CMC – Rookie West Indies off-spinner Shane Shillingford is chomping at the bit ahead of the opening Test against Sri Lanka starting here today.
The 27-year-old has played three Tests since making his debut earlier this year against South Africa in June, and is anxiously looking forward to playing his first match on foreign soil.
“My preparation has been going well. I have been doing a lot of work and the ball is coming out the way I like it,” said the Dominican.
“This will be my first taste of Test cricket outside of the West Indies and I’m looking ahead to these games. I am the type of player who likes a challenge and I will be giving it my all in the upcoming matches. I want to make a difference.”
Shillingford has been impressive in his short career so far, finishing the three-Test series against South Africa with nine wickets.
The tall Windward Islands player said he was keen to pit his skills against those of the Sri Lankan batsmen who were adept at playing slow bowling.
“The Sri Lankans are good players of spin bowling and I’m looking forward to the test. I have the confidence that I do well on these pitches,” said Shillingford.
“I played against South Africa earlier in the year in the Caribbean and I learned a lot in that series. This series will be another chance for me to improve and do well for the team.”
West Indies are gearing up to face the hosts in the first Test of the tough three-match series at the Galle International Stadium.
They had their preparation hampered somewhat with only one day’s play was possible in the rain-wrecked three-day tour match in Colombo earlier in the week, but have been working hard in the nets to get ready for the encounter.
“We are in good spirits and we have been working really well together. Things are looking good ahead of the first Test and everyone is talking about the upcoming series,” he noted.
“Everywhere we go the people here and excited about seeing us play against the Sri Lankans and this is helping to get us pumped up as well. We know what we have to do when the big occasion comes.”
The Windies were put through a four-hour training session at the match venue on Saturday.
The Test bowls off at 9:30 am today (12 midnight Eastern Caribbean time).