Congratulations to the ‘Tiger’ for making Guyana proud yet again

Dear Editor,

Every Guyanese should be proud of the achievements of Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Indeed this top-class cricketer’s accomplishments are a direct result of hard work, determination, and stamina. Once gain he has put Guyana on the map, as every time he is referred to in the international media, he would be identified as a GUYANA and West Indies cricketer.

Editor, these are the positive things Guyanese like to see about their country. Sections of the local media have been engaging in a campaign of negativity, and persons abroad are being turned off from coming back home to visit family and friends or for a simple vacation, as all they are fed is “trash”. So,congrats to the Tiger.

Not that publicity about his achievements will repair the damage done to Guyana, but it will make us Guyanese feel good about our country and others will see that we are still capable of producing the best in various fields.

Chanderpaul became the first Guyanese, second West Indian and 10th international cricketer to pass 10,000 Test runs, during the final Test against Australia last week, and was ranked the number one Test batsman when the ICC released its latest rankings last weekend. By reaching the mark of 10,000 Test runs from 140 Test matches, Chanderpaul joined India’s Sachin Tendulkar (15,470); Australia’s Ricky Ponting (13,346); India’s Rahul Dravid (13,288); South Africa’s Jacques Kallis (12,379); West Indies’ Brian Lara (11,953); Australia’s Allan Border (11,174); Australia’s Steve Waugh (10,927); Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene (10,440); and India’s Sunil Gavaskar (10,122).

Chanderpaul was the leading run-scorer in the recently concluded home Test series against Australia, with 346 runs at an average of 86.50. He reached the top of the rankings after his twin half-centuries in the final Test in Dominica, moving ahead of the South African duo of Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers. The left- hander last attained the number one ranking in July 2008 and held it for seven months. He briefly dropped to number two in February 2009, but returned to the top spot three Tests later, after the fifth Test against England in Trinidad.

That aside, I hope that young cricketers will emulate this gifted cricketer as he has proven he has the drive, humbleness, and determination to achieve great things. Perhaps upon his return to Guyana after the upcoming West Indies-England series the government, business community and others may want to join in giving him a hero’s welcome like we did a few years ago. He deserves it.

Yours truly,

Raymond Singh