Chanderpaul the lone warrior

by Richard Dwight

One isn't sure as to whether the gutsy Chanderpaul comes close to being the 'One eyed jack' in this depleted West Indian side - but this much we are certain of that his deceptive posture at the crease, a broader version of the 'two eyed stance', has somewhat had the bowlers, fielders and onlookers bemused considerably.

It did look funny to behold, as he batted on in the first Test match, played last week at the SSC. But within it all, there he was with firm resolve to successfully stand upto the wiles of the experienced spinners and, counter as well, the speed of the seasoned pace bowler, that Sri Lanka had to offer. An exemplary commitment indeed by skipper, Chanderpaul, in the face of severe odds.

Apart from the exacting cricketing skills and strategy that the game demands, Chanderpaul, in addition had to contend with the fact that he was leading a young inexperienced side without reputed performers as against a star studded, mature Sri Lankan team.

This surely must have weighed heavily in his mind, enough to cause much discomfort to disturb his concentration. However it must be said to his credit that instead of ducking away from the challenge, he welcomed it and did quite well to get ahead of Sri Lanka by 58 runs, truly a fine achievement, considering the discouraging circumstances the Windies find themselves in.

Chanderpaul did appear to have plenty of time for his shots, but instead preferred to lie low in the large interest of the team. His sober, disciplined batting did have a steadying influence on three youngsters, who made valuable contributions and with his dour top score of 69, the side made 285.

The reply from Sri Lanka was shocking at 113 for 7, certainly not in keeping with a side that boasts of a strong batting line up, and it was left to Vaas to redeem the innings, which he did to an extent, with Sri Lanka just getting upto 227.

The Sri Lankan cricket fans certainly did not bargain for this, and found it difficult to reconcile themselves to Sri Lanka being led by a West Indian second team. It is verily this element of surprise that makes cricket a great game, which bespeaks of the glorious uncertainties, that is widely acknowledged the world over.

Notwithstanding this, the fine performance of this highly weakened Windies side, was too good to last and, with the Sri Lankan bowling attack coming into its own in the second innings, the West Indians were reeling at 21 for 5.

But there was one man and, one man alone in Chanderpaul, who stood again as a thorn in the way of an early Sri Lankan Victory. He proved distinctly, that he was the corner stone of the Windies batting - where shorn off the frills and flourishes, restraining himself to bat sedately on to keep the Sri Lankan bowlers at bay.

Watching him the way he did bat, we were carried away to exaggerate a wee bit, to say that we were faintly reminded of 'Horatio defiantly guarding the bridge'. And as wickets keep falling around him, with no one capable of staying along with him, our minds went back to 'Casablanca, the boy who stood on the burning deck, when all but he had fled'. The end result was that Sri Lanka won in a little less than four days, with Chanderpaul remaining unconquered on 48.

Chanderpaul's attitude, manner and approach, as a batsman in the crisis laden Windies two innings, does serve as an object lesson not only to school boys who saw him bat, but also to front line senior batsmen of the Sri Lanka team. Critics may say that he was negative, not enterprising to take risks.

We feel he couldn't do so, as his style was cramped without assured support from the other end. Had he taken liberties to take risks, in the abject prevailing circumstances, the chances are that Sri Lanka may have won within 3 days.

As we see it, Chanderpaul will continue to play the protective role, just as much as a hen gathered its chicks under its wings, when danger threatens.

If Sri Lanka wins the second Test match at Asgiriya, much earlier than it did the first Test last week at the SSC - then it will be regarded as a one sided affair, with the mismatched Test series being reduced to a one big farce.