Chanderpaul silences Dobell and other critics
Cricket columnist George Dobell, among many others, have been too critical and harsh on Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s involvement with the run-out dismissal of Darren Bravo during West Indies first innings against England of the current First Test match contested at the famous Lord’s ground. Bravo was unfortunately run-out during a terrible mix-up with the experienced Chanderpaul who had stroked the ball straight to the fielder and, after two exploratory strides, decided that the attempted single was suicidal and aborted the run to the non-striker’s end, from where Bravo had already taken off at top speed and raced blindly to the striker’s end, while his 37-year-old teammate looked on in utter shock and dismay at the unexpected developments.
It was a shambolic dismissal for the talented Bravo and it was not surprising that Chanderpaul instinctively regained the end by grounding his bat behind the batting crease before his junior partner could have claimed the right to continue his struggles.
West Indies found themselves in serious strife with four wickets down for only 100 runs on the board during the 40th over bowled by off-spinner Graeme Swann whose sixth ball of the first over of his second spell (fourth over overall) brought about the horrendous mix-up that stirred much debate about the virtues of batsmanship, teamwork, selflessness as well as selfishness.
During his commentary in the Sky Sports box; Holding inferred that Chanderpaul should have run regardless and if he is run-out, so be it.
Probably Holding momentarily forgot that it was Test match cricket and not a 50-overs-a-side or Twenty20 match which dictates aggressive batting and even suicidal run-making efforts between the wickets.
A much better assessment of the prevailing scenario would suggest that Bravo also contributed to his demise and the fault does not entirely rest with Chanderpaul’s refusal to continue running when the fielder had already covered the ball and was aiming to throw at the striker’s end.
Chanderpaul kept his eyes on the ball and after realising that the fielder was unto the ball in a flash, he changed his mind but Bravo was bent on racing to the other end regardless of what else was happening on the field. It was a case of blind running without paying heed to his partner’s position and a precautionary glance and reassessment of the unfolding danger.
It was a case of the experienced Chanderpaul guarding his citadel and wicket for all it was worth while the youthful exuberance of Bravo brought about his downfall at a critical stage on the first day of the First Test.
After being sent in to bat first, West Indies went to the luncheon interval at 83 for two wickets after 29 overs with opener Adrian Barath; who batted brilliantly, undefeated on 41 (88 balls, 9x4s) while Bravo was not out on 27 (44 balls, 4x4s).
Barath had lost Kieran Powell and Kirk Edwards and featured in a restoration partnership with Bravo.
Faced with very tight bowling and lack of runs after the resumption; the right-handed Barath essayed an uncontrolled extragavant square cut only to see the ball careen off the outer edge to James Anderson who skilfully knocked the ball up to reclaim the rebound in the gully region.
He had faced an additional 13 balls for a solitary run while Bravo was bogged down and needed Chanderpaul’s expertise to take the initiative away from the Englishmen who relished the prevailing conditions.
Bravo had faced 18 balls before he added a further two to his lunch-time score of 27. The scoring stroke was not even convincing and his enormous struggle continued for twelve more deliveries without adding anymore before the terrible misunderstanding brought about his dismissal. One of the game’s exciting stroke players, facing thirty deliveries and having only one scoring stroke during that period, tells of a sad story of a player’s enormous effort to come to terms with the English bowlers and conditions.
Darren Bravo should have kept his eyes on the ball and fielder and made the necessary adjustments to protect his wicket at the non-striker’s end. He made no effort to turn back when Chanderpaul aborted the attempted suicidal single.
And while many, like myself, were wishing and hoping that young Bravo would have blossomed in those tricky conditions; Chanderpaul could not be faulted for protecting himself from a run-out dismissal. Over the years he has proved to be West Indies most reliable batsman in a crisis and has demonstrated the temperament and technique to frustrate the most hostile bowling attacks and under any conditions.
His undefeated 87 in the first innings proved that he made the right decision although Dobell went overboard with his critical commentary on the respected Cricinfo website and labelled Chanderpaul as a selfish cricketer.
Dobell’s story definitely tarnished Chanderpaul’s character and reputation. And it might have affected a lesser player’s mental fortitude and equanimity.
But ignoring all the negatives; Chanderpaul proceeded to silence his detractors when he returned, in the second innings; and in tandem with Marlon Samuels rallied the beleaguered West Indies team to a decent lead of 194 and an outside chance of registering a sensational victory over the currently number one rated Test team.
Chanderpaul and Samuels restored respectability after West Indies were in disarray at 65 for 4 and still 90 runs in arrears and facing a crushing defeat. Together they cleared the deficit and posted a face-saving 157-run fifth-wicket partnership. Samuels made 86 (230m, 172b, 12x4s) while Dinesh Ramdin and skipper Darren Sammy contributed 43 and 37 respectively as West Indies gained an overall lead of 194.
That was an encouraging score to defend and soon West Indies sensed victory after England had lost two early wickets and were 10 for two at the close of play on the fourth day.
On resumption on the fifth day; England were staring defeat at 57 for 4 while all West Indian supporters’ spirits were lifted.
However, the classy Alastair Cook and Ian Bell repaired the damage done by Kemar Roach (3 for 60) and they added an invaluable 132-run for the fifth-wicket partnership.
Left-handed Cook, in his quest to finish the match in style; gave his hand away for a attractive 79 while Bell (63 not out) struck the winning run soon after, much to the relief of the Englishmen.
Overall Chanderpaul faced a grand total of 425 balls (175b & 250b) in both innings before he was adjudged lbw to off-spinner Graeme Swann for a heroic 91, falling short of his 26th Test century and his second at Lord’s.
Chanderpaul, like any other player, would have been disappointed in not getting the triple-figure mark; but he would have been satisfied that he found a useful partner in Marlon Samuels and together they averted a much more severe whipping by the gloating Englishmen.
Some of the stories in the English media, both print and audio; make it feel as if this current West Indies team is cannon fodder and that these matches are used as practice sessions for England’s clash against South Africa later this year.
Chanderpaul’s admirable durability and penchant for grinding the opposition into frustration served as the driving force for West Indies to recover and establish a decent lead in the second innings.
And although West Indies lost the encounter, West Indies’ fighting spirit was boosted by Chanderpaul’s defiance in both innings.
Dobell’s unfair analysis would not deter Chanderpaul but would galvanise him into a much more uncompromising fighter. The writer went too far to suggest that Chanderpaul was involved in 23 run-outs during his Test career and that he was only dismissed three times during those untenable situations. Clearly his statement meant to suggest that Chanderpaul was guilty of protecting his wicket at the expense of his teammates.
Probably Dobell wants Chanderpaul to run himself out so that West Indies lose their matches within three days and that the Englishmen will continue to tell the world that they are the best team in the world.
Forget all the ranking system; only recently the England team were severely beaten and humiliated by a depleted Pakistan team that played without three key players Salman Butt (captain), Mohammed Asif and Mohammed Aamir,  who were serving varying jail sentences for match-fixing.
And then the Sri Lankans made it four defeats in a row for the Englishmen.  Yet England had maintained their number one ranking while India were quickly replaced at the top by England when the Englishmen, with the help of the some dubious decisions and the controversial DRS system; inflicted a 4-0 defeat to the depleted touring Indian team last year.
I have not chronicled all Chanderpaul’s run-out situations but someone should challenge Dobell to produce the evidence for the 23 instances he claimed where Chanderpaul was involved.
How can any person deem Chanderpaul culpable in running-out his partners on 20 occasions out of the 23 instances?
Can’t it be that Chanderpaul’s partners were not quick enough or that they found themselves going to the end where opposing fielders felt that they had a better chance of running them out rather that the fleet-footed West Indian proud flag-bearer?
Chanderpaul has been the ultimate team player. Even the legendary Brian Charles Lara and all other teammates can attest to the great value and calming influence of having Shivnarine as a valuable partner during their career. Dobell needs to apologise for painting Chanderpaul as a selfish player.
Officials of the current West Indies touring party as well officials of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) should call for an apology from George Dobell whose insinuations have caused an unwanted stain on Chanderpaul’s character and heroic international career.