Shillingford hurt by ban

West Indies spinner Shane Shillingford is “gutted” at being banned for using an illegal bowling action but hopes to return to international cricket soon, national coach Ottis Gibson said in New Zealand today.

The ICC announced late Monday that Shillingford had been banned indefinitely after an independent biomechanical analysis showed his action was illegal. The tests also found Shillingford's team-mate, Marlon Samuels, was delivering an illegal quicker ball, although his standard off-break was within the rules.Gibson said he was surprised at the results of the tests, which were carried out in Australia after the pair were reported during

their team's second Test against India in Mumbai last month. “Though I felt confident about the way the two players performed at the testing, the report did not come back in our favour,” he said. “Shane is obviously gutted, but Marlon's role in the team, as I have said previously, is primarily as a batsman, so the impact on him is a little bit less.”Gibson said the West Indies would work on a rehabilitation plan “so Shane can continue his international career in the shortest possible time and Marlon can continue to contribute with the ball when he's required”.“They are both tough characters and have had their share of ups and downs in the game over the years,’ he added.