The Hindu : Sport : Chanderpaul scores yet another century

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Monday, Jun 18, 2007
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Chanderpaul scores yet another century

Ted Corbett

IN FULL FLOW: Shivnarine Chanderpaul was in his element as he cracked a century and held the English at bay. — Photo: AP

CHESTER-LE-STREET: Shivnarine Chanderpaul, once again playing the part of that endangered species, the Caribbean Tiger, led the way as West Indies put together enough runs to shock England, already winner of the series, in the fourth Test at the Riverside.

West Indies' revival continued as it took three quick wickets late on the third day to leave England at 120 for the loss of four wickets. After Alastair Cook went early for 13, Strauss and Michael Vaughan, slowly, showed how to deal with the swinging ball. Vaughan's dismissal, however, late in the day set off a mini-collapse as nightwatchman Hoggard and Pietersen were dismissed in quick succession.

Last wicket stand

Earlier, Chanderpaul completed his 16th Test century, his second in a row and even persuaded Corey Collymore, a competitor with Monty Panesar in the perpetual No. 11 competition, to stick around for a last wicket stand of 58. When he reached 100 with his 14th four — an authentic square cut off Steve Harmison — England had not been able to dismiss Chanderpaul for 12 hours and by the time Collymore was finally dismissed, he had scored 136, had batted 19 hours and 25 minutes in the series, the last 13 and a half hours without being dismissed.

Collymore would have been proud of his own innings. He is a "very, very proud father" according to one of the West Indies back room staff and went round this morning congratulating all the dads in the team on Fathers Day.

When play began, it looked as if England might bowl West Indies out for 200. Dwayne Bravo lasted only a few deliveries before he misjudged an off cutter from Matthew Hoggard and was bowled for 44. He and Chanderpaul added 86 for the fifth wicket but Hoggard had suggested in an interview overnight that he fancied West Indies would make no more than 170 and at 141 for five its weak tail made that total possible.

The rest hardly covered themselves in glory but they all helped the Tiger make the team's score respectable. Marlon Samuels got out to a foolish shot after making 19; Denesh Ramdin was caught at slip for 13; Daren Powell played another ridiculous stroke with Chanderpaul on 98; and Fidel Edwards, looking every inch a No.10, gave Sidebottom his first five-wicket haul in Tests. As Edwards got out and Collymore walked to the middle there is no doubt England indulged in self-satisfied glee.

Resolute defence

Chanderpaul had scores of 74, 50 and 116 before Sunday's innings while Collymore had 1, 3, 0, 4 and 0 behind him. But there is no doubt that this proud father took inspiration from his daughter and, as Viv Richards told me, it is the spirit of the West Indies that needs to be revived before its cricket can return to the gold standard.

After 90 minutes, he had 13 and could afford to ignore defence and play a more natural game. He skied Panesar into the outfield to bypass the five close catchers, but when it looked as if he might be ready for his highest Test score he was lbw to Panesar.

The pair had put on 58 in 98 minutes; Collymore's contribution was 13 off 53 balls; Chanderpaul's unbeaten 136 lasted 393 minutes and he had faced 257 balls.

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