Summary Bowling actions of two spinners contributed to the WIndies chaotic preparation for first Test.
WELLINGTON (AP) - Continuing doubts about the bowling actions of spinner Shane Shillingford and all-rounder Marlon Samuels have contributed to the West Indies chaotic preparation for the first cricket test against New Zealand which starts at the University Oval on Tuesday.
While most of the West Indies squad traveled from India to New Zealand last week, Shillingford and Samuels accompanied by coach Ottis Gibson diverted to Perth, Australia where the bowlers actions were subjected to individual testing.
A report on the legality of their actions is expected within 14 days and both are free to continue playing in the meantime. Gibson said Samuels will almost certainly play in the first test as a middle-order batsman but he is not sure whether Shillingford will be chosen as the West Indies frontline spinner.
"When we traveled back on the plane we spoke about it," Gibson said. "It s tough for (Shillingford and Samuels). But I thought they coped with it quite well and will definitely come into the reckoning for this test.
"Marlon bats for us more so than bowls so it shouldn t be an issue for him. But with Shane, I ll speak to him again and see how he is. He ll have a good training session (Monday) and we ll judge from there which of these spinners will play."
Compounding the tourists problems, opening batsman Kraigg Braithwaite, who was a late injury replacement for Chris Gayle, will likely miss the first test because his arrival in New Zealand has been delayed by visa problems. That may leave Kirk Edwards as the only choice to open the batting with Kieran Powell.
Shillingford and Samuels were required to undergo testing on their bowling actions after being reported in the second test against India at Mumbai.
"The initial feedback from the people doing the testing was positive," Gibson said. "The ICC set these rules or guidelines and the players have adhered to everything they were asked to do."
The West Indies may need Shillingford to play because their bowling attack is already short-handed. Tino Best will open the bowling with either Shannon Gabriel or Sheldon Cottrell, who have five tests between them, with captain Darren Sammy providing a third seam option.
The tourists will go into the first of three tests against New Zealand with a limited preparation and little time to acclimatize from the heat of India where they lost both tests by an innings to the cool of New Zealand s South Island.
"The biggest problem at the moment is getting everyone sleeping properly," Gibson said. "They are still up at 2 or 3am. It s been a bit disjoined but it s up to us to accept that.
"That s all I m asking the guys to do forget about the flights and stuff and focus on the cricket. The easy thing to do would be to sit back and blame the fact that we didn t have much preparation but we ve played a lot of cricket."
Sammy put a positive spin on the West Indies sudden change of scene, saying he was looking forward to a "peaceful" series in New Zealand after the second test in India was made frenzied by the 200th and final test appearance of Sachin Tendulkar.
"This is a different environment," he said. "In India it s cricket-crazy and it was all about Sachin Tendulkar s farewell from the game and the media was all crazy.
"But here it s a bit more peaceful and guys can relax, not so many cameras in their face, and we can focus on the game of cricket.
"Being confident as a team will be the key. I don t think we did too well in India and that was a lesson for us, to show us where we are compared to the top teams in the world. Now we are playing a team where we are evenly-matched.
"We have to adapt quickly to conditions. They will know conditions very well and it s the first time in New Zealand for three quarters of our squad."
