Crab-like Shiv still racking up the runs at Lancs
Saj Sadiq speaks to Shivnarine Chanderpaul as the left-hander brings another season in the game to its close...
Still going strong with Lancashire this season at the grand old age of 43, West Indian great Shivnarine Chanderpaul, the owner of arguably the crabbiest technique in cricket, has enjoyed a career that has spanned the best part of three decades. But what are the highlights, and the lowlights, of his time in middle?
Q: You’ve had an illustrious career, one that you can be proud of. Looking back are you satisfied with your achievements?
A: I can’t complain. It was tough, but I’m happy I was able to pull through and perform for my country with dignity for a number of years.
Q: Undoubtedly there were more enjoyable days earlier in your career for West Indies rather than towards the end of your international career?
A: As time went on it got tougher and tougher. It’s never easy when you are losing, but we always had some guys who would show some fight and spirit. Then in the later days for West Indies my role changed and I was one of the guys who was there to help and guide the younger generation. I just hope people remember me as someone who fought for his team and gave his all.
Q: Any particular moments during your career you look back on with pride?
A: One special moment I will always look back at with a lot of pride will be scoring an unbeaten Test hundred at Lord’s and then following it up with 97 not out in the second innings. Making runs at the Home of Cricket was always a special feeling for me and for any cricketer irrespective of where they are from.
Q: You played alongside some of the all-time greats. Any of those greats stand out for you?
A: In the beginning I had Desmond Haynes and Richie Richardson around me to help and guide me, and Carl Hooper was also there. Then Brian Lara, Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose. They weren’t just big names but also great team men and players who would go out there and get the job done and show the way to the rest of the team. I learnt a lot from those guys and gained strength from them.
Q: Your technique was always scrutinised. Was it something that evolved or did you copy it from one of your role-models?
A: As a kid growing up I didn’t watch much cricket. My father was always an admirer of Alvin Kallicharran and my father was probably trying to train me to bat like Alvin. But then over the years I developed my own style and worked on a technique that would help me with my balance, because initially I was falling over to the off-side when I was batting. So my technique was adjusted to stop me from falling over and to get my balance more onto the front foo. It worked for me.
Q: Who was the best bowler that you ever faced?
A: Wasim Akram was the best. Waqar Younis, Glenn McGrath and Shaun Pollock were also superb bowlers but Wasim is the one that stands out for me.
Q: What do you make of the current crop of West Indian cricketers that toured England?
A: It’s a young team and that win in the second Test against England will have given them a lot of confidence. That win showed the world that the talent is still there in West Indies and they still have enough good players. The team should grow from that win and draw strength from it and get better in the future.
Q: Do you think there are signs that West Indies is starting to develop some good Test cricketers?
A: I’ve played against Shai Hope in regional games in the Caribbean and he looks a fine prospect. He has been consistently one of the highest scorers in domestic cricket. Roston Chase and Kraigg Brathwaite are two others from the current group who I think have potential and can do well for the West Indies in future.
Q: There always seems to be a controversy around the corner between the West Indies Cricket Board and the players. Why is that and what can be done to stop this happening in future?
A: The problem is that sometimes people who have not been put in the position to be the players’ representative take it upon themselves to speak out. If you elect someone to speak on the players’ behalf then that individual should be trusted with the job of speaking. Instead, other players jump in and speak out and cost the Board money. If you have a representative let him speak on your behalf properly and sort out any issues. You don’t need all the players involved as then it becomes a free-for-all.
Q: There are high hopes for your son, do you see him having a bright future in cricket?
A: I think it has to be one step at a time and he needs to score runs for Guyana first and let’s see where it goes from there. It all depends on him and how much he wants to succeed. I can guide him and help him, but at the end of the day it’s down to him.
Q: West Indies cricket has been in the doldrums for a number of years. Why is that and what needs to be changed to turn things around?
A: One of the missing ingredients is that in the past we had a lot of our players who came to England and developed their game in county cricket, and that was important. They learnt their game in county cricket and improved as a result. Nowadays that does not happen and we need to get more of our boys playing county cricket again. Get them over here and playing professional cricket in England, and let’s develop their talent.
Q: There are accusations that most West Indian cricketers only want to develop their T20 game and play in domestic leagues around the world?
A: I think that is right for some of the guys, but there is a core who still want to play Test cricket as well. But yes I think a lot of the players’ focus is on T20 cricket as that is where the money is. It’s a shorter version of the game, which means there is more time to spend with the family. It is much more flexible for the young players.
Q: What can the authorities do to ensure the survival and popularity of Test cricket?
A: I think day/night cricket is the way forward. It’s a shame the recent match in England did not go the distance, but I believe the future is day/night cricket. People still love Test cricket despite T20 cricket being very popular due to its fast pace and the fact that it is finished in a few hours, but I think that innovations such as pink-ball cricket can see Tests retain its standing as the best format.
Q: Who of the modern-day batsmen do you rate the highest?
A: You have to look at Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, Virat Kohli and Joe Root but it’s very difficult to single one of them out as the best. They all bat in different conditions, and I rate them all very highly. These guys shine in all conditions against all opposition, and are the stand-out batsmen of the modern era.
Q: Any plans once you stop playing cricket?
A: I’ve not made any specific plans yet as I am still enjoying playing, but I would love to get involved in coaching teams back home in the Caribbean and around the world, and get the opportunity to share my experience and cricket knowledge with young cricketers in future.
I just hope people will remember me as a player who fought for his team and always gave his all for the game