Chanderpaul still has a lot left in him

Dear Editor,
Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s encomiums seem never ending. This time it is in the form of a call up from Derbyshire. They have signed the Guyanese and world Number Two Test batsman for a two-year contract. Based on just county performances, Chanderpaul stands very tall.
He has delivered in his previous stints in county cricket. In 2011, he played for Warwickshire, scoring three centuries and averaging a massive 89.83 in his five matches, helping his club finish second in the County Championship. As for his three spells at Durham, Chanderpaul aided his team to titles in 2008 and 2009, as he averaged 58.26 for them.
What is quite telling is Derbyshire’s reasoning. They are deemed one of the weaker counties, but a recent rise propelled them to Division One of the County Championship for the first time in 12 years. They were actually crowned champions of Division Two last season. “This signing of Chanderpaul would underline the new ambition of the club,” is how Chris Grant, the club chairman, explained the move. His reasons border on Chanderpaul’s ability to add solidity to a batting line-up that sometimes appeared fragile in 2012.
I hope that the West Indies Cricket Board selectors are paying attention. There is no question about Chanderpaul’s necessity in the longer versions of the game, but this does not exempt him from the T20s and Limited Overs. In recent times, especially in Limited Overs, West Indies have not been able to bat for 50 overs. In fact, the last World Cup revealed this quite poignantly. I ask cricketing pundits to go back and see what obtained in Bangladesh in the five one-dayers – the same story even against a second rated team.
People talk run rate after batting the allotted overs. If a side cannot bat for the mandatory quota, then batting is brittle and must be shored up. This is where Chanderpaul fits in – his expertise and experience allow him to play expeditiously. He knows when to up his rate and when to block his end.
How about going back to 1996 World Cup when all the openers, Richie Richardson, Sherwin Campbell and Courtney Browne failed to do the job. Chanderpaul was promoted and had two outstanding scores in critical games – 56 against South Africa and 80 against Australia.
West Indies cannot go to World Cup 2015 without Chanderpaul. He is fit and produces all the time and I have a feeling this will be so for another few years. Sir Vivian Richards played until he was 40 and Clive Lloyd was 41 when he chose to retire. Both still had more cricket in them. Chanderpaul clearly has a lot more left in him and the selectors must not be allowed to push him out.

Yours truly,
Heymant Dyal