[dropcap]D[/dropcap]erbyshire captain Wayne Madsen has exclusively told derbyshireccc.com that the signing of Shivnarine Chanderpaul provides ‘another big boost to the players and everybody involved at the club.’
Madsen, who guided Derbyshire to the LV-County Championship Division Two title in September, was speaking after the club confirmed the signing of the West Indies legend; who averages 51.67 from 146 Tests and is the ninth highest Test run-scorer of all time.
‘It’s fantastic. He’s ranked the second best batsman in the world at the moment and it is a huge coup for the club’ said Madsen.
‘I’ve known for a little while that we have been talking to him and when the Chairman confirmed to me on Tuesday that he had signed I was absolutely delighted.’
The news comes as a further shot in the arm to a Derbyshire squad who, after a momentous 2012 campaign, are back in training and busy preparing for life in Division One.
‘We’ve had such a lift in gaining promotion as Champions last year and this signing is just another big boost to the players and everybody involved at the club. Motivation and determination is so high anyway so to add Shivnarine Chanderpaul is just fantastic for all the players.
[pullquote_left]‘Someone of his ability, with the average he has and the amount of time he occupies at the crease is going to be huge for us. It’s not just on the pitch though, he’s brilliant in the dressing room and we’re looking forward to that side of him as well.’[/pullquote_left]
Chanderpaul, 38, comes with a vast amount of experience and is one of the most respected players in the game and Madsen is convinced that his young and talented side will benefit hugely from the left-hander’s presence over the course of the season.
‘His influence on the team and our batting line-up in particular is going to be massive. The young guys will sponge off him for knowledge and hopefully it will show on the field this season.
‘We’re training hard and we’re very excited about the season. There are a few of us going out to India next month for batting before we go out to Barbados for crucial preparation. We feel like the season is just around the corner. Everything is looking good.’
Source: Derbyshire County Cricket Club