By Malcolm Conn- Former West Indian great Shivnarine Chanderpaul believes the rise of Twenty20 leagues around the world are having a serious impact on the once great West Indian cricket team.
Inducted into the International Cricket Council’s Hall of Fame in Sydney last week during the T20 World Cup, Chanderpaul made his Test debut in 1994 when the West Indies were yet to be dethroned as the world’s best team, and retired 21 years later when they were regarded as easybeats.
“We all played for more than just money, we played for pride,” Chanderpaul said ahead of the West Indies’ opening tour match against an ACT/NSW XI beginning in Canberra on Thursday.
A two-Test series against Australia starts late this month in Perth, with the West Indies having lost their past five series in Australia going back to 1997, when they last won a Test in this country.
“There are a lot of Premier [T20] leagues around the world. West Indies cricket is not what these guys would depend on these days so I don’t think they’re as keen. They can go elsewhere and play and not focus on having to represent West Indies.
“Whatever comes up, the guys are happy to make as much as they can while their cricket career lasts.”
A number of West Indian players have become Twenty20 guns for hire. Andre Russell, 34, is an obvious example.
Having played one Test, 56 one-day matches and 67 T20s for the West Indies, the potent all-rounder’s biography lists him as having played for 31 teams around the globe, including three Big Bash League sides, and competed in 428 T20 matches. He has been signed by the Melbourne Renegades for the opening four matches of the coming BBL season.
While in the past, big names such as Chris Gayle, 43, would return to the West Indian side for major white-ball tournaments, it was largely a bunch of unknowns who were dumped out of the just completed T20 World Cup in the qualifying stage.
Chanderpaul fears how the current side will perform against Australia during their Tests in Perth and Adelaide because of the pace and bounce in the pitches
“It’s never going to be easy, it always tough out here,” Chanderpaul said. “And Australia’s bowling attack is the best in the world. You can tell by the number of guys ranked in the top 10.”
Chanderpaul has a particular interest in the series, with his son Tagenarine started the West Indies domestic season poorly and went to do some coaching with his father in Florida, where Shivnarine has lived for some time.
“When he got back he got a couple of hundreds, and now he’s got selected to come here. Coming to Australia knowing the attack Australia has, these guys are relentless. If he can come here and do well it will be a start to his career.”
West Indies squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Jermaine Blackwood (vice-captain), Nkrumah Bonner, Shamarh Brooks, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Anderson Phillip, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Devon Thomas
Series Schedule:
17-19 November: v ACT/NSW XI at Philip Oval, Canberra
23-26 November: v Prime Minister’s XI at Manuka Oval, Canberra (day/night)
30 November to 4 December: 1st Test at the Perth Stadium, Perth
8-12 December: 2nd Test at the Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (day/night) (The Sydney Morning Herald)
