ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Reason behind West Indian pacer Sheldon Cottrell’s salute decoded

West Indies won the toss and elected to field first against South Africa on Monday. And soon enough Sheldon Cottrell got two major breakthroughs for the Caribbean. He got rid of Hashim Amla in his second over for just six runs. He also got the wicket of Adriane Markram in his fourth over for five.

Apart from his lethal bowling attack, Sheldon Cottrell has grabbed eyeballs for a very unique celebration whenever he takes a wicket. Cottrell marches down the pitch and offers a salute towards the dressing room after each of his wickets.

“It’s a military-style salute. I’m a soldier by profession. Me saluting is just to show my respect to the Jamaica Defence Force,” Sheldon had told BBC earlier this year.

“I do it every time I get a wicket. I practised it for six months when I was training in the army,” he further added.

West Indies coach Stuart Law explained further.

“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.”