Cottrell ready for SA T20 test

Having passed his latest fitness test, Jamaica and West Indies fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell says he is delighted to be back in the regional 18-man squad for their upcoming five-match T20 home series against South Africa.

The highly anticipated series will be played at the Grenada National Stadium, starting on June 26.

Cottrell was dropped by the West Indies selectors before the start of the Sri Lanka tour in March after he failed their Y0-Yo fitness test. A Yo-Yo test is a maximal aerobic endurance fitness test, involving running between markers placed 20 metres apart, at increasing speeds, until exhaustion.

Was very disappointed

The 31-year-old Cottrell told STAR Sports that he was very disappointed with himself after he failed the test but he pointed out that he has worked assiduously with his trainer to ensure that he remains very fit going forward.

"I am elated to be back because I love playing for the West Indies," said Cottrell, who revealed that he passed his most recent Yo-Yo test.

"I have worked on it (fitness) and I have fixed it and I don't think that will ever happen again, unless, God forbid, it is an injury. I am going to stay fully fit in order to always meet the minimum requirements in the Yo-Yo test," he said.

The left-arm pace bowler has taken 37 wickets in 30 T20 matches for the West Indies since making his debut against England in 2014 in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Cottrell underscored that he is feeling pumped up for the series and therefore he is looking forward to going up against the South Africans.

"I am feeling good in body and mind and now I am raring to go," said Cottrell. "I have always been a confident bowler and so I am just looking forward to going out on the park," he said.