Onward Soldier! Cottrell ready to take charge in World Cup bid
Fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell says there is a definite buzz in the West Indies camp as the team gears up for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup in England and Wales. With just three days left before the first match against Pakistan, West Indies are focused on the job at hand, said the 29-year-old Jamaican soldier.
“It has been a gradual build-up to the first game (of the World Cup). I’m ready... can’t wait for Friday to come…. the entire team is ready. The chemistry in the team is something I’ve never seen before, everyone if bouncing around and enjoying every moment of it,” Cottrell said. “I got no hand-outs … I had to work really hard to get here. I’ve done well and I have been rewarded. It wasn’t an easy road, but I put in the hard work and now I’m excited and ready to face the challenge of playing in the Cricket World Cup.”
He was speaking on Monday as they prepared for the second warm-up match against New Zealand, which will be played at the County Ground in Bristol. Cottrell has had a good run in the West Indies colours since his return to ODI format in March against England in the Caribbean. He was also effective with the new ball in the recent Tri-Nation Series in Ireland, and said he was hoping to use the match against the Black Caps to put the finishing touches on his preparation.
“I’m looking at the New Zealand game and I’m taking it very serious. It’s our last warm-up game before the actual thing starts so I’m taking it very much serious especially with what I want to do coming into the first game so I’m taking it very serious,” said the left-armer, who has played 14 ODIs.
West Indies have been labelled underdogs for the May 30 to July 14 showpiece. The Jason Holder-led side will, however, be hoping to revisit the imperious form they displayed during the five-match home series against England earlier this year. In that five-match rubber they matched the visitors in every department and held them to a 2-2 draw with one match being rained off. During that series Cottrell took a career-best 5-46 in Barbados which bowled the home team to victory.