Chanderpaul officially left out of Windies Test squad

Roseau (Dominica), May 31 (IANS) Shivnarine Chanderpaul's hopes of a happy farewell were squashed after the veteran left-handed batsman was left out of the 14-man West Indies squad for the first Test against Australia starting here on Wednesday.

Chanderpaul, the second highest run-scorer for the Caribbean outfit, is only 45 runs behind that of Brian Lara's 11,912 runs. But recently in his last series against England, he had a dismal average of only 15.33, reports the dailytelegraph.com.au on Sunday.

At 40, he's not seen as part of the team's future. The decision has been backed by fast bowling legend Michael Holding, while Lara supported Chanderpaul's bid for a farewell Test series.

All the members of the squad which was announced on Saturday featured in the drawn Test series against England apart from the duo of wicketkeeper-batsman Shane Dowrich and Rajindra Chandrika -- both scored brilliant 50s in last week's tour match against Australia in Antigua.

"My request to finish up with the Australian series is not asking too much," Chanderpaul told Caribbean media.

"It gives me a chance to acknowledge my supporters at home... I should not be pushed into retirement."

The two-Test series starts at the Windsor Park here from Wednesday.

The West Indies squad for first Test: Denesh Ramdin (captain), Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Rajindra Chandrika, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Veerasammy Permaul, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor.