West Indies pacer Sheldon Cotterell says he is back to full fitness after a mild injury scare on the recent Sri Lanka ‘A’ cricket tour threatened his participation in the senior team’s upcoming trip to South Africa.
The left-arm quick bowler told the Jamaica Observer that it was a “slight groin strain” which ended his ‘A’ team stint approximately five weeks ago.
But on Sunday afternoon, the 25-year-old, though not necessarily bowling at express pace, displayed good control and a fair amount of aggression to grab 2-21 off four overs in the Ocho Rios Chargers’ victory over Kingston Hurricanes in a local Twenty20 franchise match at Chedwin Park.
“It was my second competitive game since coming back from injury. It was another
chance to test where I’m at. I think my fitness level is at 100 per cent right now,” Cotterell said.
“After the injury, I got some treatment and I’ve been working with the trainer since then and I’m happy to be back. Test cricket is my goal and it has been my dream.”
Cotterell played his lone Test away to India in the early part of last November. The Jamaican took 1-72 off 18 overs as the West Indies sank to an innings defeat.
He is expected to further prove his fitness in the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional League match versus Trinidad & Tobago Red Force at Queen’s Park Oval this weekend.
“Once I’m selected in the Jamaica team for the third round against Trinidad and I play, I have no doubt I’ll make the tour to South Africa with the West Indies team.
“I made my debut last year and it’s over a year since I played Test cricket. Just to get into the team I’ll be very elated and I’m looking forward to it and want to do my best in South Africa,” said the strongly-built player, who is also a member of the Jamaica Defence Force.
The three-Test tour of South Africa is scheduled to run from December this year to January 2015.