Chanderpaul training overtime for NZ Tests

-Left-hander sends strong signal to tourists with back-to-back hundreds in Florida

By Avenash Ramzan

Shivnarine Chanderpaul is the number two ranked Test batsman and this spurs the veteran left-hander to vigorously prepare for the next task at hand – facing the touring New Zealand team.
With the West Indies two-Test series against the visiting New Zealanders just about two weeks away, the former West Indies captain is leaving no stone unturned in his effort to be in top condition for the longest form of the game.
While in Florida, the 37-year-old Chanderpaul took the opportunity to put in some much needed match practice, in the process, sending a strong signal to the tourists with back- to-back hundreds for Sarasota International Cricket Club (SICC).
On Saturday, the 2008 ICC Cricketer-of-the-Year slammed 10 fours and eight sixes in a robust 133 as SICC made 228 in a limited overs game against hosts Daytona Beach.
However, the innings could not inspire victory, as Daytona knocked off the target for the loss of only five wickets.
Manesh Patel led the chase with 84, while Dennis Pires supported with 67.
Don Bacchus picked up 2-22 for SICC. The following day, Chanderpaul ensured SICC did not go down to another defeat, as he blasted a stroke-filled 144 to power his team to 326-7 from the allotted 40 overs against Citrus County Cricket Club (CCCC). His innings was decorated with 12 fours and 10 sixes.
In reply, CCCC struggled to 192 all out from 39 overs with Marinius Vandriel and Clint Goodchild picking up three wickets apiece.
Meanwhile, Chanderpaul speaking to this publication from Florida on Monday, said he has been spending a lot of hours in the nets in Orlando, batting against the bowling machine.
“A day’s play is six hours, and you should plan on batting six hours,” Chanderpaul, who witnessed the two T20s involving West Indies and New Zealand in Lauderhill, Florida, on June 30-July 1, said. “I have this philosophy of batting today, and come back and bat tomorrow, as was drilled into me by former [West Indies] coach Rohan Kanhai.”
Reports out of Florida indicate that the Caribbean’s second highest Test run scorer is working diligently to have himself both mentally and physically prepared for the upcoming Test series.
This publication also understands that Chanderpaul is expected to play for the West Indies ‘A’ team in a three-day warm-up match against New Zealand ahead of the Test series on July 20-22 at North Sound, Antigua.
The first Test starts on July 25 at the same venue.
But until that moment comes, the ‘Tiger’ will be spending valuable time with the bowling machine and his personal fitness coach, David O’meara, with the aim of adding to the 10,290 runs he has accumulated from a record 142 Tests. Those runs have come at an average of 50.44 with 25 centuries.