Chanderpaul's career up in the air

Bridgetown (Barbados), May 24 (IANS) Uncertainty continues to hang over the career of Shiv Chanderpaul with media reports indicated the veteran left-hander has already been chopped from the squad for the upcoming Australia series.

Reports on Saturday suggested that the 40-year-old has been left out of the squad following a failed attempt by the team management to get the player to retire. However, CMC understands that while selectors have taken a decision to look to the future, there is still a possibility Chanderpaul may not eature in the two-Test series against the Aussies.

The Clive Lloyd-led selection panel is expected to announce a squad for the series within the next 48 hours. Reports indicate Chanderpaul recently met with team management to discuss his future, especially against the backdrop of his waning form which has seen him struggle in the recent series against England and South Africa.

Against England, he garnered just 92 runs with a highest score of 46 and managed just 91 runs against the Proteas with a best score of 50, but an average of 18.

Last year, however, Chanderpaul was in great form, averaging 64 and scoring his 30th Test hundred against Bangladesh in the second Test at Gros Islet. The Guyanese batsman boasts an impressive record, having scored 11,867 runs at an average of 51 and is only 86 runs shy of Brian Lara’s all-time West Indies scoring mark of 11,953 runs.

The West Indies will enter a preparation camp, starting here on Monday, ahead of the first Test which bowls off at Windsor Park in Dominica on June 3. The second Test starts at Sabina Park in Kingston on June 11.