ICC World Cup 2019: Sheldon Cottrell Packs New Zealand's Openers, Match Enters Rare List

West Indies fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell started the innings on a high as he provided two quick breakthroughs for his team. Cottrell struck on the first ball of the innings when he plumbed Martin Guptill in front of the wickets. However, the umpire gave the decision in favour of the batsman. When Jason Holder decided to send the matter upstairs, the on-field umpire had to reverse his decision. Guptill was dismissed without troubling the scorers as he bagged a golden duck.

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Subsequently, Sheldon Cottrell was able to clean bowled Colin Munro with an accurate yorker and the southpaw batsman was also dismissed for a golden duck. Thus, this is the only third instance when both the openers are dismissed for golden ducks.

Cottrell has bowled with fire.

The other two instances include when Fidel Edwards was able to get the better of Zimbabwe openers R Rinke and T Duffin for golden ducks in 2006. The second incident happened when Dawlat Zadran and Shapoor Zadran scalped the wickets of Lahiru Thirimanne and Tillakaratne Dilshan in the previous edition of the World Cup in 2015 for golden ducks.

Thus, Sheldon Cottrell became only the second bowler after Fidel Edwards to take the wickets of both openers for a golden duck. New Zealand was left tottering at 7-2 after Jason Holder won the toss and decided to bowl first.

However, New Zealand was to rebuild their innings through Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor. The talisman right-hander has added a fine alliance of 158 runs thus far. Hence, New Zealand is looking good for a par score.

“Looks a pretty good wicket. We know what’s at stake, we got to bring our A game. We haven’t been consistent. We have got three changes. Darren Bravo is out, Ashley Nurse comes in. Shanon Gabriel is out and Kemar Roach comes in. Carlos Braithwaiteis in for Andre Russell,” said Holder after the toss.

Meanwhile, Sheldon Cottrell has impressed with his bowling as well as his fielding. Cottrell is the leading wicket-taker for West Indies as he has scalped seven wickets in the six matches.

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