Stuart Law explains why Sheldon Cottrell has a special way of celebrating wickets

West Indies pacer Sheldon Cottrell has a unique way of celebrating whenever he takes a wicket. On Thursday, too, there was no exception to the 29-year-old bowler’s style of doing things when he claimed two key Australian wickets in the clash in World Cup 2019 at Trent Bridge.

The Kangaroos were sent to bat after the Carribean skipper, Jason Holder, won the toss. Australia were in for early trouble but some determined batting from the likes of Steve Smith (73) and Nathan Coulter-Nile (92) down the order took their total to a competitive 288.

Cottrell, who took one for 18 in the game against Pakistan at the same venue last Friday, ended up with 2 for 56 on Thursday. And as he celebrated the wickets with salutes, former West Indies coach Stuart Law explained the reason for which he does so. According to Law, Cottrell’s gestures are a mark of respect to his commanding officer in the Jamaican Defence Force. Cottrell is a member of the defence forces.

‘Cottrell has to take permission of his commanding officer’

“He has to ask permission from his commanding officer to come and play for the West Indies,” Law was quoted as saying in BBC’s Test Match Special.

“He’s an active member of the Jamaican army, so he has to get permission to come and represent the West Indies. It’s just a mark of respect to his big boss. He’s not doing it to upset anyone. It’s just a mark of respect to the people back home, but it’s become quite legendary now around the world.”

The West Indies, however lost the game to Aussies by just 15 runs after the lower-order collapse. Shai Hope was expected to finish the game but it wasn’t the case as Mitchell Starc’s fifer propelled the Kangaroos to their second win of the tournament. Andre Russell couldn’t live up to expectations with the willow. Ashley Nurse managed to smash four boundaries off the final over but it wasn’t enough for the Caribbeans to go past the line.

The West Indies have last beaten Australia in the World Cup way back in the 1996 edition.