Cricket

Chanderpaul 150 not out

by
yardie
November 13, 2013

MUMBAI, India:

Shivnarine Chanderpaul is set to become the first West Indiesplayer to appear in 150 Tests during the second Test against India, starting on Thursday (11 p.m. tonight Jamaica Time) at the Wankhede Stadium here.

MUMBAI, India:

Chanderpaul, aged 39, made his Test debut 19 years ago on home soilat Bourda Oval in the Guyana capital of Georgetown.

‘Tiger’, as he is universally affectionately known, appears likely to take the milestone in the same stride that he has taken his batting over the years.

“It’s not every day that someone gets to play 150 Tests, so it’s a milestone for me and I am looking forward to it,” said Chanderpaul, following a full training session with his team-mates in humid conditions yesterday at the match venue.

“I never thought I would get this far in the beginning, but who knows where you can go if you keep persisting.”

Chanderpaul, a durable left-handed batsman, will remain seventh on the list of players that have made the most appearances in Tests. Indian star batsman Sachin Tendulkar heads the list of most Test appearances and is set to play his 200th and final match in this Test.

The 2008 ICC World Player of the Year has scored 4,161 runs at an average of 70.52 in 48 Tests since 2007, including 14 hundreds.

“It takes a lot of work. You have to put in a lot of work. As an individual, you have to pick yourself up to go to the nets, do a lot of work and practise the way you are going to bat in the game.

“There are so many things you have to do – training, keeping the fitness and everything that it takes to get on the park and get your work done. And also maintain a standard you think will help you to succeed at the highest level.”

On the question of his role in the team, Chanderpaul said: “I know we have had a lot of players in the past who played a lot of shots. But I have also looked at a lot of other players and tried to find a way you can fit in and a way you can add value to the team. I figured out that might be the best way for me.”

Photo: Shivnarine Chanderpaul (WICB)