Sheldon Cottrell
Sheldon Cottrell – Cricketer From West Indies
Sheldon Cottrell is a professional cricketer from Jamaica, best known as a fast-medium pace bowler. Alongside his primary bowling role, he is capable of contributing with the bat and remains a reliable presence in the field. Between 2013 and 2023, he represented the West Indies at international level across multiple formats. As of today, Cottrell continues his career in regional cricket, playing for St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots as well as the Leeward Islands side.
Sheldon Cottrell: Background And Cricket Journey
Sheldon Cottrell was born on August 19, 1989, in Kingston, Jamaica. He was raised by his mother in a single-parent household, where money was often tight and everyday life came with challenges. Despite limited resources, Cottrell stayed committed to cricket, frequently showing up at local grounds wearing old Converse trainers rather than professional gear.
His serious interest in the sport began at the age of twelve, when he was inspired by the performances of legendary Jamaican fast bowler Courtney Walsh. After completing school, Cottrell chose a different path from many young cricketers and enlisted in the military at 18. Serving in the army played a major role in shaping his discipline, fitness and mental toughness, while matches for the army cricket team helped him sharpen his skills.
The 2012-13 regional campaign proved to be a turning point in Sheldon Cottrell’s professional journey. Playing in the Regional Four Day Competition, Jamaica produced a flawless group-stage performance, winning every one of their six fixtures. Cottrell played a crucial role in that success, claiming 17 wickets and emerging as one of the competition’s most effective bowlers. His consistency at that level quickly drew the attention of West Indies selectors and paved the way for his elevation to international cricket.
- November 6, 2013 – first Test match appearance against India
- March 13, 2014 – debut in T20 Internationals versus England
- January 25, 2015 – first One Day International against South Africa
By 2016, Sheldon Cottrell had established himself as a dependable member of the national setup and was selected for the ICC World T20. The West Indies went on to secure the championship, successfully retaining their title. Although Cottrell was not the central figure of the tournament, his inclusion in a title-winning squad marked a significant milestone and enhanced his reputation on the global stage.
Three years later, he was named in the West Indies squad for the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in the 50-over format. Despite the team’s overall difficulties during the competition, Cottrell stood out on an individual level. He finished the tournament with 12 wickets from nine matches, ranking among the leading wicket-takers for his side and reinforcing his value as a strike bowler in international conditions.
Cottrell has not issued an official statement announcing his retirement from international cricket. His most recent appearance for the West Indies came in March 2023, when he featured in a T20 International against South Africa. Since then, he has not received further national call-ups.
Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua Hawksbills, Deccan Gladiators, Sagicor High Performance Centre, Rangpur Riders, Sylhet Thunder, West Indies Cricket Board President’s XI, Kings XI Punjab, Multan Sultans, and Vancouver Knights.
Beyond international duty, Cottrell has built an extensive club and franchise résumé, turning out for numerous teams across leagues worldwide. One of his most notable performances occurred on June 3, 2018, when he joined the Vancouver Knights for the inaugural Global T20 Canada tournament. He dominated the competition, finishing as the leading wicket-taker with 16 dismissals in only eight matches.
At present, Cottrell continues to play domestic and franchise cricket, representing the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the Caribbean Premier League, while also competing at the regional level for the Leeward Islands.
Sheldon Cottrell: Off The Field And Notable Details
Sheldon Cottrell is known for maintaining a clear boundary between his professional career and his private life. He rarely shares personal details publicly and chooses to be recognized primarily for his achievements on the cricket field. When he does speak about himself, the focus is usually on his dual background as an international cricketer and a former member of the military, rather than on family matters or romantic relationships. Some notable personal and career-related details include:
- His complete name is Sheldon Shane Cottrell.
- He is commonly referred to by the nickname “The Colonel,” a reference to his military past.
- During his international career, he represented the West Indies wearing jersey number 19.
- His trademark celebration after taking a wicket is a disciplined military-style salute, which has become closely associated with his image.
- Outside of competitive cricket, he spends his leisure time playing golf, swimming, and enjoying music.
Sheldon Cottrell remains active on social media platforms. His Instagram profile, @salutecottrell, attracts approximately 80,000 followers.
| Format | Matches | Runs | Bat Avg | Top Score | Balls bowled | Wickets | Bowl Avg | Best Bowl | Catches |
| Test | 2 | 11 | 2.75 | 5 | 276 | 2 | 98.00 | 1/72 | – |
| ODI | 38 | 88 | 11.00 | 17 | 1 722 | 52 | 32.40 | 5/46 | 19 |
| T20I | 45 | 18 | 4.50 | 4 | 918 | 52 | 23.92 | 4/28 | 19 |
| T20s | 142 | 201 | 7.17 | 26 | 2 899 | 167 | 22.73 | 4/20 | 59 |
| List A | 78 | 259 | 13.63 | 30 | 3 355 | 105 | 28.57 | 5/46 | 30 |
| FC | 47 | 604 | 15.89 | 48 | 5 144 | 104 | 26.86 | 5/38 | – |
