KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC- West Indies off spinner Shane Shillingford says batting practice in the nets has paid off, resulting in him scoring the second fastest test fifty.
Shillingford struck an unbeaten 53 off a mere 25 balls as West Indies attempted to chase down a mammoth 403 for victory in the opening test against New Zealand on Wednesday.
West Indies lost the match by 186- runs inside four days as the Kiwis took a one nil lead in the three-test series with the second set to begin Monday in Trinidad.
“A lot of coaches, in terms of different teams, they see me bat and always tell me I will get runs. Even the Windward coach tells me that,” said Shillingford who played his first Test since his suspension due to an illegal bowling action.
“So I am doing some work in the nets along with the assistant coach and staff on batting, and I’m glad it paid off today.”
The Dominican cricketer finished with a match haul of 5 for 184 against New Zealand and teamed up with Sulieman Benn in an 85-run last wicket partnership which threatened to take the match into the fifth day.
Shillingford struck three fours and five sixes in an impresse showing with the bat.
“Growing up, I never used to be a bowler. I used to be a No. 3 batsman, playing under-19s, under-13s,” Shillingford said.
“The technique and all is still there, the way I like to strike the ball. My strength is to hit the ball straight