Brian Lara: Chanders deserved proper send-off

Brian Lara: Chanders deserved proper send-off

Published: Guardian
Tuesday, January 26, 2016

DUBAI—Brian Lara believes recently retired West Indies batsman Shiv Chanderpaul should have been afforded the time to make a graceful exit from the game. Hailing Chanderpaul as one of the “giants of West Indies cricket”, Lara said he was disappointed the 41-year-old had been axed from the Test team without having the opportunity to have a “proper send-off.”

“Shiv, who played since 1994, had a tremendous career. I started with Shiv in Guyana and remember his first Test match against England,” Lara said yesterday.

“That guy with the most Test matches for the West Indies, playing for over 20 years, I don’t think people in the West Indies understand exactly his contribution.

“I was very disappointed that Shiv was not allowed a couple of more Test matches, not necessarily to break the record but to have a proper send-off. Something I think he is very disappointed (about) and unfortunately that did not happen.”

Chanderpaul’s form came under the microscope after he managed just 91 runs in three Tests against South Africa last year January and 92 runs in a similar three-Test series against England in April.

In announcing the left-hander’s sacking ahead of Australia’s tour of the Caribbean last May, chief selector Clive Lloyd said Chanderpaul’s decline in form had been “rapid” and selectors had opted to focus on younger players. Overall, Chanderpaul pummelled 11 867 runs from 164 Tests at an average of 51, with 30 centuries.

Though known for his patient, attritional batting, Chanderpaul piled up 8778 runs from 268 One-Day Internationals at an average of 41. Lara said he was a big admirer of Chanderpaul throughout his career.

“He has been a great servant for West Indies cricket and he has done some tremendous things throughout his career, and credit must be given to the man for how he has played,” said Lara, who is here to play in the Masters Champions League.

“When I do have the opportunity to give him a call and thank him, I will because for me he was one of the giants of West Indies cricket.”

Meanwhile, cricket’s world governing body, the ICC, has praised Chanderpaul as “a role model for millions.”

In a release yesterday,  the ICC noted: “Shivnarine Chanderpaul will be remembered as a reliable and extremely effective batsman. He was remarkable with the way he could adapt to his style, mixing solid defence and attack, to the demands of the situation,” ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said.

“For nearly two decades, Shivnarine not only excelled with the bat but with his sporting attitude and quiet determination became a role model for millions of youngsters.”

Chanderpaul scored  30 Test centuries and finished with an average of 51. He also served as West Indies captain, leading the regional side in 14 Tests. His career was effectively ended last May when West Indies selectors axed him ahead of Australia’s tour of the Caribbean, following failures against South Africa and England.

CMC

Shiv sits on the throne of the Gods.

I agree with Brian Lara. Shiv should be allowed to stay on a bit longer. I believe that the selectors were a bit hasty in axing Chanderpaul citing a lack of form. However, I don't understand this issue about form, because, in regards to form, it has been none existent amongst most of the West Indies batsmen for a long time. Just merely making a good score now and then is not acceptable as good form. I  do hope, however, that sometime soon some of these youngsters will be able to display the grit and determination which  an everyday feature of Chanderpaul's batting.