The reported news in the local and regional media of the possible axing of West Indies legend Shiv Chanderpaul on the eve of the test series against Australia is very disheartening to me.
I share the view that his run production in the last two test series has been below average.
However, his test batting average remains over 50 and his home batting average against Australia is over 80.
At 40-plus, we all know that his end is near.
Mr Dave Cameron has acknowledged that he would like to ensure that Shiv gets a proper exit.
Here is a man who has given half his life to West Indian cricket–the most capped West Indian player (164 tests) in the history of West Indian test cricket (87 years).
The two tests are in Dominica and Jamaica.
He is an honorary citizen of Dominica and how magnificently fitting it would be for Shiv to end his illustrious career in the homeland of the president of the West Indies Cricket Board with a guard of honour before a world-wide cricket audience!
Gentlemen, as you have extended an olive branch to the West Indian IPL players, which indeed represents a spirited display of West Indian integration, identity and unity, I am kindly asking you, the esteemed administration of the WICB, to reconsider your decision, pending or otherwise, to axe Shiv Chanderpaul from the forthcoming series against Australia.
Reza Abasali
via email