Published: Feb 03, 2016, 10:38 AM (IST)
Edited: Feb 03, 2016, 12:58 PM (IST)
Tiffs between board and cricketers are not something new. And West Indies cricket has seen them at galore in recent times. The latest to fall victim to this is Shivnarine Chanderpaul, one of West Indies’ most prolific batsmen. In an interview with ESPNcricinfo, Chanderpaul threw light on his relationship with West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and mentioned that he was obliged to announce his international retirement to gain a No Objection Certificate to play in the Masters Champions League (MCL) in the UAE.
It did not leave a good taste when a player of his experience was treated shabbily by the board. Not only was he dropped from the side in May 2015 but was not given a central contract in December. In a tactic on the lines of blackmail, Chanderpaul said, “ I was given a No Objection Certificate by WICB with a clause in it that I retire on the 23rd. If I didn’t announce my retirement they would have taken it back.” Also Read: Shivnarine Chanderpaul: An unorthodox artist with the bat
However the southpaw wants to continue playing domestic cricket for Guyana. He added, “I have spoken to Guyana already. I know the chairman wants me to go back and play. They have a game against Trinidad starting on February 12. Then Barbados, then Windward Islands, Leeward Islands and Jamaica. Those are games that I have talked to them already about going back to play. I have not retired from First-Class matches. I have retired from international games. I was not being picked to play for West Indies anymore and there was nothing else for me to do. So I decided I would come out here to the UAE and play some cricket.” Also Read: Brian Lara disappointed on Shivnarine Chanderpaul not getting a proper farewell
In times of lucrative cricket league, Chanderpaul a batsman more suited more for longer format earns a pittance playing for Guyana. It is his passion for the game and eagerness to help his country that keeps him going. According to the website, Chandepaul, who has over 20,000 runs in international cricket, earns around US$ 30,000 in the MCL.
Criticised WICB
Not ruling out a possible comeback, the 41-year-old has not ruled out a comeback and says he still has the passion and hunger to play. However, he remains hurt with the way he was treated by WICB after serving them with distinction.
Over the past months, his souring relationship with cricket great and fellow countryman Clive Lloyd has grabbed many headlines. However, Chanderpaul not naming anyone in particular expressed his disgust. Also Read: Clive Lloyds letter to Shivnarine Chanderpaul
“You cannot [choose the way you go]; not with those guys. It is the way we are being treated. It is still going on and it is not changing. We are being treated like that and worse sometimes. That is how it goes. Some of the past players had better times in their career. They don’t want to change. They want to stay the same way; have the same attitude. But you cannot bring the same thing to the table every time because you are not going to go anywhere. We are not going forward. We are just going down. They are creating some problems,” he said.
He blamed these “past players” as the ones who are creating problems with “old ways” and implementation of “brute force and ignorance”. Right now he is enjoying his time with former cricketers at the MCL but as even the great Brian Lara too mentioned that a player of Chanderpaul’s stature deserved much better.
