Dominican off Spinner Shane Shillingford Appointed Goodwill Ambassador

The Government of Dominica has appointed Shane Shillingford as Goodwill Ambassador for Sports.

Prime Minister Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit made the announcement on Sunday days after the West Indian cricketer took ten wickets in the latest encounter against Australia at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium.

“He has shown them what Dominicans can do if given the opportunity and that’s what we have to do.  That is why the Government took the decision to appoint Shane Shillingford as a Goodwill Ambassador for sports.  In the next two days, we shall make another announcement [of what] we will do for him in recognition of his great talent and great contribution to cricket because Shane is bringing back cricket and [has helped put] Dominica on the cricket map. I must say thanks to the people of Dublanc, the people whom we love so much for raising him and ensuring that he is a positive young person and a positive role model not only in Dublanc but in the rest of the country.”

Shillingford became the first Dominican to play international cricket on his home soil in a test series in 2012 between Australia and West Indies, taking six wickets in the first innings and four in the second innings making him the first West Indian spinner to take ten wickets in a test since Lance Gibbs in 1966.

Shillingford made his test debut on June 10 2010 in the home series against South Africa and played in three matches in that series. He then toured Sri Lanka with the 2010/11 West Indiesteam and took five wickets in his first test match of the tour.