Shivnarine Chanderpaul - A terrific career comes to a disdain end

Shivnarine Chanderpaul – A terrific career comes to a disdain end: So finally the time has come when we can consider that it is curtains on a successful career of the legendary West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul. It is a matter of sheer disrespect that the WICB dropped the 40 year old veteran just on back of some poor performances and did not find him good enough to be given an opportunity to retire while being on the field.

The legend who has served West Indies cricket for 21 years and in 164 test matches with 11,867 runs to his credit and that too at an impeccable average of 51 was shown the exit door even without a chance to play the game for one last time and bid good bye to all the cricket fans from the pitch where he has devoted most of his youth.

Though, he has not formally announced his retirement but now his career seems to be inevitably over. Chanderpaul, was only 84 runs short of becoming the highest run scorer for his nation in tests. The severe decision of WICB (West Indies Cricket Board) that holds a distinct history of dumping their great players like Vivian Richards and Desmond Haynes in the most disrespecting manner possible continued its shambles trend. The decision has garnered quite an outrage among former cricketers like Brain Lara as well as the cricket fans.

It was only six tests since the Guyanese bloke had plundered a century in tests. For a team which is utterly known for its dour level of consistency in test arena, this legendary player was the face of consistency. Recently re-elected president Dave Cameron spoke optimistically about the need to treat their past cricketers
better. But, one should remind him that there is no better time than the present.

In a matter of few days, such a disheartening decision under his regime has been passed on, which is a epitome of hypocrisy prevailing in the system. But if that’s the way WICB works then in some way or the other, it greatly justifies why the West Indian team had left the Indian tour in between which had proved to be a gigantic loss both in terms of reputation and money for the native board.

May be that’s the reason why most of the talented players of the country dump their country over money when they choose to play in the cash rich Indian Premier League than be available for national duty. May be its worthwhile on their part as well because a board which doesn’t seem to respect its greatest players who have been great servants for the nation for decades, encourages them to opt for money than to dedicate their lives in utmost turmoil for the pride and glory of West Indian cricket.

A man who has gracefully served the nation for two decades, just after two lackluster series, didn’t get an opportunity to end his career on what would have been his last two matches for the country. The batsman who has racked up as many as 30 centuries, had a heated conversation with West Indies Coach Simmons on whatsapp in which he tried to persuade the batter to retire but the southpaw insisted for a send off series so that he can acknowledge the fans and the Board for one last time and that too on home turf.

As per the Chief selector Clive Lloyd they have selected the best possible side for the Australian series and he has also sent a letter to  Chanderpaul, to explain about his omission from the squad  for the upcoming series against the Aussies. Although, there is  no denying fact that now he is a 40 year old man now, but a send off series to their second most prolific run scorer in tests after Brain Lara couldn’t have done that much of a harm to the side whose chances against the mighty Australians already look quite grim.

Mind you in the last 18 tests, that Chanderpaul has featured in, he has piled up 1,171 runs at a respectable average of 49. The southpaw has a special love affair against the wrath of the Australians, against whom he has scored 1,649 Runs in 20 tests and averages 50 with five centuries to his tally. Maybe that was the perfect chance to honor one of their most splendid and consistent run scorers in the longer form of the game and thereby giving a exemplary motivation to the young aspiring cricketers to take up the sport and help the otherwise helpless West Indian cricket on the path of resurgence so as to revive their glorious cricket legacy and culture which now only seems to be mere part of history.