Dropping of Chanderpaul disgraceful” – former WIPA President
Former West Indies Players Association (WIPA) president Dinanath Ramnarine
[Trinidad Express] – Former West Indies Players Association (WIPA) president Dinanath Ramnarine has called the dropping of Shivnarine Chanderpaul from the West Indies squad for the Australian home series “disgraceful” while former West Indies pacer Tony Gray said people should not be too emotional about Chanderpaul’s non selection since he was not producing the runs.
“First of all, it was most unfortunate that the West Indies selectors would treat yet another great West Indies cricketer who has been a loyal servant in the most disgraceful manner,” Ramnarine told the Express.
Ramnarine said Chanderpaul had showed true commitment and loyalty to WI cricket and the manner in which he was dropped was unbecoming.
“When I saw recently the president of the WICB Dave Cameron say that Chanderpaul would be given a special send-off, I was waiting to see what would be done to celebrate his long-standing and successful career. But then I saw the team and Chanderpaul was left out, it is so consistent with the WICB, how they have treated great players in the past including Brian Lara, Sir Vivian Richards, Desmond Haynes,,” he said.
Ramnarine compared the Chanderpaul situation with how other top cricketers like Steve Waugh, Shane Warne, Sachin Tendulkar were given the opportunity to play in front of home crowds and get a proper goodbye, and also cited the example of English Premier League footballer Steven Gerrard of Liverpool whose fans got an opportunity to say goodbye recently.
