Sheldon Jackson Quits Saurashtra; Opts To Play For Puducherry This Season As An Outstation Player

Saurashtra wicketkeeper-batsman Sheldon Jackson has decided to part ways with the state cricket team. It comes a few months after Saurashtra clinched the Ranji Trophy title for the first time and admittedly it has arrived as a massive blow for them. Instead, Sheldon Jackson has decided to ply his trade for Puducherry as an outstation player this season.

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Sheldon Jackson has remained one of the most prolific run-getters in the first-class circuit, having amassed 5634 runs in 76 fixtures, averaging 49.42. In those 76 fixtures, Jackson has slammed 19 tons and 27 fifties with a best of 186. The 33-year old accumulated 809 runs last season at 58.41 with three hundreds and was a chief contributor in Saurashtra’s title victory.

In his mail to the Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA), Jackson thanked everyone who gave him the chance to represent the team starting from the U-14 level to their title triumph. The right-handed batsman commended Jaydev Shah and Niranjan Shah, President and former secretary respectively for acting as father figures on and off the field.

“It’s been a great honour for me to represent Saurashtra right from the under-14 level to being crowned as the Ranji Trophy champions. My journey has been fantastic and I’m thankful to everyone at the SCA for standing by my side in my good and bad times. I am very thankful to Niranjan Shah (former SCA secretary) and Jaydev Shah (Present-day President), who have been father figures to me on and off the field and have been my constant support in my times of darkness and when I not performing too well,” the keeper-batsman stated as quoted by Times of India.

“All my life, I will treasure playing for Saurashtra” : Sheldon Jackson

Sheldon Jackson went on to concede that it has been one of the most challenging decisions in life; however, he sees this as the best opportunity to play for some other state. He vows to support the SCA whenever they need and would always cherish playing for Saurashtra cricket.

“This has been one of the hardest decisions that I had to make. It’s not been easy for me. However, I feel that it’s the right time for me to move on and play as a professional for some other team. I assure that if anytime the SCA or Niranjan sir needs me or my services for the team, I will be standing right beside them. All my life, I will treasure playing for Saurashtra and I’m proud to be associated with Saurashtra cricket,” he added further.

In a release, SCA claimed that Jackson asked them for a “No Objection Certificate” from them to play domestic cricket for other teams. Apart from Sheldon Jackson, Pankaj Singh and Paras Dogra are also the outstation players for Puducherry this season.

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