Chanderpaul’s uncompromising work ethic

Shivnarine Chanderpaul hit a solid and magnificent double century at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh.  In the process he recorded his twenty sixth Test century equaling the achievement of Sir Garfield Sobers, one of the greatest cricketers to have graced the cricket field at the highest level of the game.
When Chanderpaul completed his twenty-sixth test century and second test double century, he moved closer to Brian Charles Lara’s 34 test centuries and closer to his record as the West Indies batsman with the most test runs.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul, while very young, had the opportunity to achieve greatness thrust upon him and he certainly achieved same.
I will never forget Chanderpaul’s debut in 1994 at Bourda against England. The great West Indies opening batsman, Roy Fredericks was a West Indies selector. He was a personal friend of Hassan Mohamed and mine. Roy said that he will surprise us. Roy had Hassan and I guessing all week and Hassan bought a few Banks Beers at Georgetown Cricket Club on the Saturday before the test match.
The then President of the Guyana Cricket Board, Chetram Singh came over and told me to encourage “Roy to hold ‘tight!” I did not understand what ‘Chetty’ was talking about.  At approximately 08:00 hours on that memorable morning of March 17, 1994, I was told that Shivnarine Chanderpaul made the final eleven to play in the test match at Bourda.
Guyanese are Guyanese to the bone. Carl Hooper knew he was not fit to play in the match.  Hence, Chetram Singh and Roy Fredericks, along with ‘Mr. Cool’ Carl Llewellyn Hooper made the announcement of his inability to play in the match on the morning of the test match. The next in line Barbadian middle order batsman Roland Holder was in Barbados and it was impossible for him to make it to Bourda for the start of the match.
Hence, it is now history how Shivnarine Chanderpaul made his test debut on the morning of the March 17, 1994 at Bourda where he made a test debut and solid half century. Chanderpaul was only a teenager.
However, the great England opening batsman Geoffrey Boycott saw Chanderpaul play youth cricket in England and advised that he was a great cricketer in the making. While our own Caribbean man who is a Trinidadian but worked and lived most his life in Guyana, the eminent Ian Mc Donald, long before ‘Shiv’ made his test debut spoke about his ability to achieve greatness.
McDonald is indeed one of those most authentic writers who I heard speak about Shvinarine Chanderpaul’s talent and potential to be an outstanding  batsman.
So, ‘Shiv’ when we look from whence you came to where you are, we are all rallying behind you and our proud West Indies cricket team.  We are very optimistic that our West Indies team will rise to the occasion and reach the helm of world cricket again.
Shiv continues to demonstrate to young cricketers, by example, that cricket at the professional level must be taken seriously.  Dedication, commitment, determination, fitness and the will are attributes necessary for success.
His selfless contribution to West Indies cricket and encouragement to the young cricketers are unquestionable and evident for all to see.
If our cricketers, both senior and junior recognise his hunger for success and follow his example, then they will develop into better players and hence the West Indies team will also improve into a world class unit.
Chanderpaul’s double hundred in the first test is a demonstration of how to play test cricket. He did not allow a batting friendly wicket to overpower his level headedness. He held his calm and played his natural game.
While batting with the young Kieran Powell, Shiv also guided him through his innings.  Under such guidance, Powell went on to score his second test hundred.
Of course, this is not the first time that Shiv was so involved. In his quiet way, he has been around and gave support when other batsmen went on to score heavily.  He had also been a partner in many batting records against opposing teams.
Shiv’s determination, uncompromising work ethic and selflessness have earned him a unique place in West Indies and world cricket. He is a player that current and future West Indian cricketers should strive to emulate in order to bring West Indies cricket back to the helm of world cricket.