Simmons and Shiv

Chanderpaul:

    I would make myself available for the upcoming Australia series. At the conclusion of the series, it would give me an opportunity to thank the WI public and the board for all the opportunities. It may also be an occasion for the WICB to recognise me for my long and dedicated service. It would be a good sendoff after dedicating 21 years of my life to WI cricket.

Simmons:

    We had selection before each Test and I did back you for the Barbados Test when it was close between the selectors – but it is no longer close for the Australia series. I understand how you feel but it is in the hands of the selectors not yourself to decide on a squad for the series, so what I was saying to you is that you retiring would make more sense than you being left out of the squad for the series.

Chanderpaul:

    My request to finish up with the Australian series is not asking too much. It gives me a chance to acknowledge my supporters at home and the possibility of the WICB properly honouring me for my contribution to WI cricket. I should not be pushed into retirement. Here is a situation where I firmly believe public opinion would be in favour of me being given the opportunity to play in my final test series at home. Thanks.

Simmons:

    There is no dispute that you have dedicated the last 21 years of your life to WI cricket and, as stated before, this will be acknowledged and recognised by the WICB but, unfortunately, length of service is not a criterion for selection. If public opinion was a criteria for selection then we can agree maybe you would play until you are 50; unfortunately it is not. I am not pushing you into retirement I am, as previously said, trying to dignify the situation because Chanderpaul retiring would be more dignified than Chanderpaul being left out by the selectors.

Chanderpaul:

    Since you and the selectors said it is up to me to decide. I have decided to make myself available for the Australian series. I AM NOT RETIRING. Thanks.



And, with those passive-aggressive capitals still lingering in the air, the powder keg exploded. Lara steamed in, accusing the selectors of disrespecting his former team-mate and describing the way players are treated as “despicable”. “It should no longer be tolerated,” he told the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian. “When you look back to so many of our heroes and the manner in which they were dumped, it makes you shudder.”

www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jun/02/we...tes?CMP=EMCSPTEML942

The post-Chanderpaul era begins on Wednesday with the first Test in Dominica.

The chairman of selectors, Clive Lloyd, has stuck to his guns, insisting that it is time for a youngster to be given a chance

– either the 23-year-old Barbadian Shane Dowrich or the 25-year-old Guyanan  ::LOL::

Rajindra Chandrika will take Chanderpaul’s spot against the Australians

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTjP3BBKCeXZ3fzLjpRGHgXlHvedRNtTEmLyLXujgpAFA5yNd0V

* If Simmons and Lloyd were to drop dead I would gladly pay for their coffins.


Rev

the cat ate the tiger