When I buy new underwear, I always keep my old pairs just in case the replacements don’t offer the same comfort and support. Otherwise, I could be left with some uncomfy undies, with no back-up, no go-to.
Unfortunately, the West Indies selectors don’t share my conservative attitude. They’ve discarded stalwart Shivnarine Chanderpaul like a pair of old, skid-marked jocks, as they try to transition to new blood.
Yes, Chanderpaul has had a lean international six months, with a top score of 50 in his last six Test matches. However, that comes straight after his bumper series against Bangladesh, where he became one of the older centurions, notching up a hundred after his 40th birthday.
He’s even had a pretty solid domestic season, averaging nearly 45 with the bat in a tournament that has favoured the bowlers. It seems the Windies’ lucky pair of grundies, are no longer on the favoured rotation.
By contrast, England captain Alastair Cook went a full 24 months without adding to his tally of tons, but I guess the Brits are renowned for their loyalty…
Meanwhile, the Aussies will be rejoicing. In the absence of the most capped West Indian ever, our bowling unit will be ecstatic that they won’t have to try to crack the defence of one of the more determined international batsmen. Clarke won’t even have to set a field for the most unconventional stance in world cricket.
Even Brian Lara has weighed in, suggesting Chanders should be allowed a farewell tour on home soil, but Clive Lloyd has come out and soiled that remark, indicating Chanderpaul will not be part of the team moving forward.
Let’s not forget Shiv is the gentleman who was hit on the head by a Brett Lee short ball, only to get up, take guard, and go on to hit a century, such is the character and grit of the man.
If I was Chanderpaul, I would have gotten up, walked off the pitch, flown home to Guyana, and opened a stall on the beach, selling over-priced trinkets to tourists.
In a series when I expect the West Indians to drop a lot of catches, I feel that their selectors’ drop will be the costliest. In any case, farewell Chanders, you’re one of my all-time favourites, and you are a pair of underwear I would always keep in my top draw.
Gareth Kidd
Roar Guru
Hahaha for sure. If he was a bit taller he'd look as fearsome as Mitch! There's a few Windies players who have adopted the bail-tap. Pollard and Junior Bravo are ones.
CW
Guest
I also loved Chanders eccentricities. Namely the American NFL like black shadow under the eyes. Not to mention his habit of taking a bail and knocking it into the turf with the bat handle to measure his foot stance at the crease. That started somewhat of a cult following for a while.
CW
Guest
I agree. Chanders has been treated shabbily for what most likely would have been his last test series before he announced his retirement. Yet again he may have wanted to hang around for when the Windies tour Aussie next year. This bloke has been a thorn in our sides, and many others, for the best part of two decades. So, from a personal point of view. I am pleased he was left out. The WICB will regret their move. Lara said he should have been treated with more respect. I totally agree.
CW
Guest
Quite right Gareth. The Aussies took care of this young bloke in the warm up match. Hazlewood had him in early trouble and could have got his wicket any time. To his credit he survived to post a very good 74 before Fawad got him..Hazey, though picked him up for a duck in the second. Seems a shame not to pick, Johnno, Starc and Hazey for the first test. Really give it to these young Windies turks. Show then what it means to play against a world class side.
Gareth Kidd
Roar Guru
Sorry Robbo, do you watch cricket? In the past two calendar years he's averaged 70 and 58. Come on mate, just do a little research before ripping on one of the games greats. And the notions that this uncapped Chandrika will have a better chance against Starc and Co is laughable.
Robbo
Guest
Gareth, Lee hit him on the head, but I fear very much that Johnson and Starc would have killed him! I don't think he's been treated poorly at all, on the contrary, he has treated himself poorly by not leaving the game on his terms at least a year or 2 ago!
Gareth Kidd
Roar Guru
To a degree. But half of his dismissals in England were to spin, and all bar one of the Anderson wickets were from lazy shots, not being beaten by pace or bounce. I still think he'd have another 6 months in him. And even if he is on the down turn, they just don't have the senior batsmen in and around the team to help with the transition. Who will they turn to for guidance and experience? The slew of T20 bandits? The most mature person in the side now is Darren Bravo. And even he has a bucket load still to learn (although i rate him up there with Root and KW when it comes to technique and young temperament).
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Chanderpaul has been a legendary batsman, but he's soon to turn 41 years old and looked clueless against short pitched bowling from England in the recent series, continuing a recent trend of being vulnerable to bouncers. If England's 135kmh quicks were roughing him up, what would Johnson and Starc have done to him at 150kmh? The manner in which his exit has been handled has been poor but the decision to drop him was not.
AREH
Roar Guru
Good read, and definitely agree