West Indies Veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul Source: cricketcountry
West Indies veteran batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul has vowed not to hang up his boots despite being dropped from the West Indies squad for the upcoming Australia series. The feisty run-machine, who turns 41 this August, has 11867 runs to his name, including 30 centuries and 66 fifties in 164 Tests. Despite having numbers and reputation on his side, Chanderpaul was left out of the squad. In response, the unorthodox batsman has expressed his desire to play in the regional four-day cricket tournament in November and is also set to represent the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Caribbean Premier League, in June, to let his bat do the talking and make his way back to the side.
According to a report on www.kaieteurnewsonline.com, recently-appointed West Indies coach Phil Simmons had told Chanderpaul over a WhatsApp conversation that the Windies legend could have his say and take a call on his career because he had been a great servant of West Indies cricket. In reply, Chanderpaul reportedly said that he was making himself available for the Australia series, and would like to take the opportunity to thank his fans at the end of the tour and announce his retirement. “I would make myself available for the upcoming Australia series. At the conclusion of the series, it would give me an opportunity to thank the WI public and the board for all the opportunities. It may also be an occasion for the WICB to recognize me for my long and dedicated service. It would be a good send off after dedicating 21 years of my life to WI cricket,” Chanderpaul said.
In a strange turn of events, Chanderpaul’s career was up in the air after being dropped from the Test squad for the Australia series, starting next month. Simmons defended his earlier statement, claiming that it was said in reference to the final Test in the recently-concluded home series versus England. “We had selection before each Test and I did back you for the Barbados Test when it was close between the selectors but it is no longer close for the Australia series. I understand how you feel but it is in the hands of the selectors not yourself to decide on a squad for the series so what I was saying to you is that you retiring would make more sense than you being left out of the squad for the series,” Simmons reportedly texted in his WhatsApp conversation with Chanderpaul. Simmons and the West Indies chairman of selectors have defended the axing and have indicated towards Chanderpaul’s declining form with the bat. While the team management shifts it’s focus to youngsters coming through the ranks, the gritty Guyanese is far from hanging up his boots.
Will he script a sensational comeback for a final hurrah? Or have the doors been shut for good? Only time will tell.