BREAKING NEWS! Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s ten thousand Test runs was announced by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony in Parliament. As ‘Shiv’ completed his 10 000 Test runs last Thursday, during the 2012 Budget debate Speaker of the National Assembly Mr Raphael Trotman allowed the Hon. Minister to make the announcement of Shiv’s 10 000 Test runs and the entire Assembly gave him a round of applause.
The Speaker himself, when the news was announced said that Parliament will invite Chanderpaul (Tiger) to the house at a convenient time.
The Tiger’s 10 000 Test-run landmark also received immediate congratulations from President Donald Ramotar.  Chanderpaul’s runs caused the entire Assembly to unite and extend their appreciation in one voice.
Chanderpaul is unquestionably a great cricketer and his monumental achievement of scoring 10 000 Test runs is indeed a testament to his greatness.
I remember watching Chanderpaul when he made his debut at Bourda in 1994 and the thunderous applause from the crowd when he reached his half-century.  Chanderpaul is a role model and our youths can develop and become better individuals if they emulate his lifestyle.
He has already played in 140 Test matches; 239 innings and he was not-out 38 times.  Thus far he has scored 10 055 Test runs with his highest Test score being 203 not-out.  The Tiger’s total Test runs is punctuated with 25 centuries and 59 half-centuries.
He has played in 268 One Day International matches and has scored 8 778 runs, his highest score being 150 with an average of 41:60. Shiv also scored 11 One Day centuries and scored 59 half-centuries.
The physically fit Chanderpaul already played in 283 first-class matches and batted in 460 innings.  He was not-out 84 times and scored a mammoth 20 902 first-class runs with a magnificent 303 not out against Jamaica.
Jamaica’s bowling line-up in that match included the World Class fast bowler Courtney Walsh, fast bowler Franklyn Rose and Patrick Patterson, along with spinner Nehemiah Perry.  His triple-century against Jamaica was described by Roy Fredericks as one of the best batting displays he ever saw. He scored 62 first-class centuries and one hundred and four half-centuries.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s magnificent 137 not out against India in Barbados was noted for his power of concentration.  That solid innings enabled the West Indies to win that Test match.
Shiv’s magnificent century against Australia at Bourda in 2003 was indeed sparkling. His century came off a mere 69 balls and was the third fastest Test century.
Chanderpaul was at the wicket batting with Brian Lara when the latter broke Sir Garfield Sobers’ highest Test score of 365 not out. The Tiger’s solid 104 not out against Australia led the West Indies to successfully chase a world record 418 for victory in the final Test match in Antigua.
Chanderpaul came from very humble background. He grew up in a rural area in Guyana and first represented Guyana as a youth player. He made a tremendous impression as a youth player when he played for the West Indies Under-19 team in England.  Shiv loves to bat and has used this passion to transform himself into a great accumulator of runs.
It cannot be denied that he has developed into a World Class batsman who is a model of concentration. His ability to play long innings and score runs made him the most outstanding batsman to ever represent Guyana.
Rohan Kandhai  is undoubtedly the most exciting stroke player of all-time from Guyana and possibly the world. Our own Clive Lloyd was one of the hardest hitters of the ball, a magnificent man in the field and the most successful cricket captain.
However, Shivnarine now joins the greatest batsmen in the World as he has ascended to a league that includes Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Ricky Ponting.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul will forever be in the hearts of all Guyanese people and we will continue to follow his career and rally behind him. Bat on Shiv!  Bat on, knowing that you will always be a source of PRIDE for all of Guyana.