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.
theroar.com.au
