Thursday December 18 2008
NAPIER, New Zealand (CMC) – West Indies batting ace Shivnarine Chanderpaul has declared that he is honoured to surpass the great Sir Garfield Sobers on the all-time list of leading West Indies scorers in Test cricket. Chanderpaul’s half century in the first Test against New Zealand in Dunedin last weekend lifted him past Sir Garry and into the No.3 spot on the West Indies all-time batting list. “It is an honour to be up there with Sir Garry and have my named mentioned alongside his name. He is the greatest the world had known,” Chanderpaul said on the eve of the second Test against the Black Caps.
The solid Guyanese left-hander made a patient 76 off 200 balls at University Oval, Dunedin to move ahead of the legendary Sir Garfield Sobers.
With his 50th half-century in Test cricket, Chanderpaul climbed to 8,077 runs at an average of 49.25 per innings. Sir Garfield made 8,032 runs at an average of 57.78 per innings.
“In his era it took a long time to reach that. He did not play as many matches as I have and is a hero for all West Indian cricketers. He set the stage and paved the way,” said the 34-year-old Chanderpaul, who was named the International Cricket Council’s International Cricketer of the Year in September when he won the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers award.
“All of us cannot be like Sir Garry. When you hear the name and when you see him the goal is to be like him. It is an honour to be up there,” Chanderpaul added.
Chanderpaul only trails Brian Lara and Sir Vivian Richards on the West Indies all-time list.
Lara made 11,953 runs (average 52.88) and Sir Vivian scored 8,540 runs (average 50.23).
Chanderpaul, currently the No.1 batsmen in the ICC Test Ratings for bating, will have a chance to move closer to the top when the West Indies face New Zealand in the second Test at McLean Park, Napier which bowls off today.
Source: AntiguaSun