The West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) has congratulated West Indies middle-order batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul on a prosperous and illustrious international career that spanned more than two decades.
Chanderpaul is the only player of the modern game to represent the West Indies for over two decades. Presently the 41-year-old is the highest ranked West Indian on the ICC Test rankings.
He also holds the record for batting the longest period without being dismissed in Test cricket.
The Guyanese middle-order batsman retired recently from international cricket.
During the almost 22 years of his career, he represented the West Indies 164 times in Test cricket, amassing 11,867 runs, with his highest score being 203 runs, at an average of 51.37.
The Guyanese left-hander’s unorthodox batting style did not hinder his performances on the field, as he collected accolades throughout his career.
Chanderpaul played a record 164 Tests. He has called it a day on his 22-year international career.
He was also named West Indies Player of the Year, first in 2008 and then in 2014.
WIPA’s President Wavell Hinds, who played alongside Chanderpaul for the better part of a decade, said; “As a fan, to witness him play was to see a player of grit and determination. Having the honor of playing alongside him, I certainly saw a consummate professional, who gave his all for West Indies cricket.”
“Shiv’s contribution to the game has been priceless and we wish him the utmost success in his future endeavors,” Hinds said.
Batting legend Brian Lara believes recently-retired West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul should have been afforded the time to make a graceful exit from the game.
He hailed Chanderpaul as one of the “giants of West Indies cricket.”
The batting star was disappointed that 41-year-old Chanderpaul 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 remembered his first Test match against England,” Lara said, adding, “that guy with the most Test matches for West Indies, playing for over 20 years. I don’t think people in the West Indies understand his contribution.”
“I was very disappointed that Shiv was not allowed a couple of Test matches, not necessarily to break the record but to have a proper send off,” Lara told reporters in Dubai where he went to play in the inaugural Masters Champion League.”
Lara said Chanderpaul was a great servant of West Indies cricket and credit must be given to the man for how he has played.
