COMMENTARY: A case for Shivnarine Chanderpaul – in his own figures

In the prelude to the English versus West Indies (WI) series and surely in its subsequent wake where WI cricket may be showing signs of re-emergence, Chanderpaul’s form seem to be worrying many as showing signs of decline.

It is always disheartening when the superlative feats of a sporting hero’s performance tend to begin to show signs of decline or even a momentary slump – Think of Tiger woods (golf), Serena (tennis); Lara & Tendulkar (cricket) in given moments of their careers. Also think of how they bounced back. The 3rd Test at Bridgetown was a balm for the battle-weary WI fans as relates its outcome of a very soothing win but it left not much comfort to the selectors as they contemplate the form of Chanderpaul.

Tony Cozier called it a conundrum (ESPNCricinfo 10th May 2015 article: The Chanderpaul conundrum http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/873325.html).

Tony Cozier is a cricketing expert – I am NOT – even at the local level. But frankly, I muster the courage to dare to say that I see no conundrum – I see just a logical and strategic assessment of Chanderpaul’s form over possibly the next two tests against Australia and possibly another two more before politely asking Chanders to call it quits if his form does not improve.

I think Tony Cozier writing what seemingly appears as the obituary of Chanderpaul may be a little premature (I hope). Frankly, any logical panel of selectors would grant the next two tests against Australia to Chanderpaul, if only to be beyond doubt as to the true status of Chanderpaul’s form. While Cozier is perfectly correct in highlighting the age factor as impacting on reflexes, concentration, form and even the joy of the game, Chanders had similar slumps under far more youthful circumstances.

Rewind to about a decade ago: on 25th May 2005 Chanders scored an unbeaten 153 against Pakistan at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown. The next two innings were less than 50 scores then on 12th July 2005 he scored 69 (158 balls) against Sri Lanka. It then took him another 16 innings before he registered another half century of 62 (109 balls) on 1st Jun 2006 against India at the ARG in Antigua. It took him another six innings to get close to a century – 97* on 21st Jun 2006 at Warner, St. Kitts.

From the 25th May 2005’s unbeaten 153 against Pakistan at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown it took him 32 innings over two (2) years before he registered another century – an unbeaten 116* on 6th June 2007 versus England at Old Trafford. That was a very lean patch for Chanders but he bounced back. It is true that in this present scenario Chanders is a decade older and he may not be given the luxury of more than four future tests to prove otherwise. It is also relevant that in sport, sentiment must not be placed over winning but Chanders deserves that extra opportunity and some respect in good measure to go with it too, especially where other young “prospects?” have not shown that they can at least fill his position in QUARTER MEASURE.

If granted the opportunity by the Selectors, the next outing for Chanders would be at the Windsor Park Stadium in Roseau, Dominica.

His most recent exploits at that venue was less than two months ago in the regional match Windward Islands vs Guyana in which he scored 119 (419 min, 285 balls, 9 fours) to secure Guyana’s victory by an innings and ten runs. Interestingly, in that match Shillingford, who is the subject of Part II of this article, took the wicket of Chanderpaul in his spell of 52 overs 13 maidens 118 runs, 5 wickets with an Economy of 2.26
Chanderpaul’s stats in Roseau Dominica against the Indians, Aussies and Zimbabweans are as follows, bearing in mind that only three test matches have been played there so far:

– 3rd Test WI vs India Jul 2011 scores of 23 and an unbeaten 116* (541 min, 343 balls );

– 3rd Test WI vs Aus. April 2012 top scores in both innings of 68 (238 min, 164 balls) & 69 (179 min, 122 balls). Chanderpaul made 69 in the second innings and became only the second West Indies batsman to pass 10,000 Test runs, as West Indies reached 173 for five in their second innings at the close on the penultimate day at Windsor Park.

– 2nd Test WI vs Zim. Mar 2013 top score of 108 (323 min, 284 balls, 13 fours) WI won by an innings & 65 runs. His average at the Windsor Park Stadium is a splendid/phenomenal 96!!!

The next venue for the second test against the Aussies is Sabina Park where he has stats of 23 innings, 764 runs with two centuries at an average of 38.20.

ChaderPaul’s Stats on these Grounds

Grounds – Windsor Park Sports Stadium, Roseau
Innings – 5
Runs – 384
Average – 96
Centuries – 2

Grounds – Sabina, Jamaica
Innings – 23
Runs – 764
Average – 38.20
Centuries – 2

If the Selectors know their recent history they will know of, and will recall the love affair of the Dominican cricketing community with Chanderpaul – He is even an honorary Dominican (complete with passport)!!! (Subject to correction as per his acceptance of the offer). Not to pick Chanderpaul would be foolhardy and illogical if not downright silly – it would be financially imprudent too for a cash-strapped WI Board. Not that there would be any backlash but the promotion would lose its shine, its gloss, its luster.

In sport sentiment must not be placed over winning but when Chanders had no centuries between 1994 -1997 and pundits thought he may soon be axed, he responded with what we have today – the most resilient and long serving Son of the soil rightly deserving of the opportunity to come from a slight decline – At least he deserves, if only, a last hooray at a venue he is prolific on and where he is loved and adored more than anywhere else outside of Guyana. Selectors – give the WI Great, the Guyanese/Honorary Dominican son of the soil the Australian series then we can consider thereafter.

Sylvester Cadette is a Dominican living in Barbados and a cricket lover. This article is part one of a two-part series on the upcoming West Indies/Australia tour