Chanderpaul slams local players’ attitude

– Had made himself available for CLT20

BY AVENASH RAMZAN
02 October 2010

Former world number one Test batsman, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, has slammed the “ attitude and discipline” of local players, stating that their inadequacies will ultimately affect their cricket development and the country’s image on the regional and international stage.

He also told this publication during an exclusive interview yesterday at the GCC ground, Bourda, that he had made himself available to represent Guyana in the just concluded Airtel Champions League T20 competition in South Africa, but for some reason was not selected.

The 36- year- old left- hander, who has built his career on discipline, commitment, and dedication, noted that much of that is lacking in the younger players these days.

He made specific reference to last Thursday where some members of the Demerara squad preparing to participate in this weekend’s senior Inter- county, 50- over competition turned up almost halfway through a net session.

“ One thing you do in cricket, once you’re a professional, you always come up on time; make sure you on time for everything. I know what you talking about, I was here yesterday ( Thursday), and probably halfway through the session a couple of guys came in. I don’t want to call names, don’t want to pinpoint anyone, but indiscipline comes into play,” Chanderpaul posited.

“ Our cricket is showing the same indiscipline we show on the field. If we’re starting at a particular time, guys need to be here on time. It comes down to discipline and dedication and if you don’t show these things, what happens when you go onto the field? Totally the same you know!” He added, “ Well, what I’m saying so far is the at titude.

I don’t think some of the players’ attitudes are right. If you want to play this cricket you have to change your attitude. You can’t be waltzing in at anytime and do whatever you feel like doing and feel you’re above the cricket. Nobody is above the game, so you have to be disciplined and you have to show an interest. You know it all boils down to the indi vidual and if he’s not will ing to do these things, then maybe he’ll have friends who will pick him. But it will show when you step out on the park and you can’t get the job done.” The veteran of 126 Tests, 261 One- Day Internationals, and 22 T20Is observed that the new breed of players are not showing the hunger for the game and the appetite to succeed.

“ It should be about how much you want it ( to play the game). You should be here and willing to work; I don’t see that yet. You need to see that discipline, the dedication in the players.

You want to play for your country you have to set an example, this is about pro fessionalism; you have to show it, you can’t be sit ting back and expect things to happen,” Chanderpaul, who made his international debut at the GCC ground, Bourda, against England in 1994, explained.

He also chided the Guyana Cricket Board for the perceived lack of pro fessionalism.

“ The peo ple in charge need to know what’s going on. Yesterday ( Thursday) I went into the board office and asked some questions about ‘ when are we ( Demerara) playing?’ I couldn’t get a straight an swer.

It was only late yes terday ( Thursday) afternoon when we were practicing I found out that we actual ly playing on Sunday. You know we’re talking about professionalism, but we need to see it all around; not just from the players, but the board level also.” With regards Guyana’s Amazon Conquerors’ par ticipation in the Airtel Champions League, where they returned home win less from four games, Chanderpaul opined that difficult conditions and ner vousness may have contributed to the disastrous per formance.

He revealed that he had made himself avail able to represent his coun try of birth, although he was fulfilling a contract with English county side, Lancashire.

“ Yea, I spoke with Sars ( skipper Ramnaresh Sarwan) and I told him ‘ if you need me you need to let me know as early as possible so I could in form Lancashire so I could leave.’ But he said it’s not up to him, it’s up to the se lectors and the president of the board. So I just leave it to them.” He related that he has always given prior ity to Guyana’s cricket, and found it baffling that he was overlooked for the crucial assignment. Many close followers of the game felt that Chanderpaul, pri marily based on his expe rience of playing in South Africa, should have been on the team.

Apart from 55 first- class, 22 Test, and 11 ODI centu ries, Chanderpaul holds the record for the highest re gional first- class score ( 303 not out versus Jamaica) and the fourth fastest Test cen tury in terms of balls faced- 100 from 69 balls against Australia at Bourda in 2002.

Source: Guyana Times