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West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul being persuaded to retire?

One of the last remaining vestiges of a competitive West Indies side - Shivnarine Chanderpaul - may soon walk into the sunset.

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One of the last remaining vestiges of a competitive West Indies side - Shivnarine Chanderpaul - may soon walk into the sunset.

According to reports in the Indian Express, a series of Whatsapp messages between Windies coach Phil Simmons and Chanderpaul suggest that time is up for the left hander.

Chanderpaul, who holds the world record for batting 1000+ minutes between dismissals — he did it 4 times in his career — might not play another Test for the Windies.

According to the Guyanese newspaper Kaieteur News, Chanderpaul is not on the Windies selectors' radar for the upcoming Test series against Australia. He was also not part of the WI training camp ahead of the series.

Chanderpaul is only 86 runs shy of overcoming Brian Lara's record for most Test runs by a West Indian. There is tension between him and Simmons as well as chairman of selectors Clive Lloyd. It is understood that Simmons has advised Chanderpaul to announce his retirement rather than face the ignominy of being axed from the side.

Though the Windies side is a struggling unit, Chanderpaul's awful run of form has not helped matters.

The Whatsapp interaction with Simmons has revealed all. After first thanking Simmons for keeping him in the loop about his selection for the Australian series, Chanderpaul brought up Simmons's promise that it was up to him to make a decision of retirement. However, things rapidly descended into chaos and blame-game. 

"The above statement (of deciding when to retire) was given by you in your interview. Now that it is left to me to make that decision. 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 recognize me for my long and dedicated service. It would be a good send off after dedicating 21 years of my life to WI cricket," Chanderpaul told Simmons. 

Simmons responded by saying that his message of support was for the last Test against England and it didn't pertain to the upcoming Australian series. "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. You can still thank the WICB and the public for the opportunities in your statement and the WICB will recognise you for your long and dedicated service to cricket," Simmons texted. 

Chanderpaul averaged 15.33 in the Test series against England with a high score of 42.  But he is in no mood to announce retirement, as his next message showed. Essentially, the veteran batsman wants a farewell series against Australia. "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 honoring 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", says Chanderpaul concluding his Whatsapp exchange.

But Simmons, who took over as West Indies coach at the conclusion of the World Cup, then sent a strong message claiming that public opinion and longevity of career cannot be a criterion for selection. The conversation suddenly got coarse. "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." 

Finally, Chanderpaul reiterates his decision not to quit. "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,” Chanderpaul concludes.

With just a couple of days left for the selection of the Windies squad, the matter has reached a deadlock. It remains to be seen if Simmons and Lloyd would accede to Chanderpaul's demand of a farewell series, or the left-hander would have to face the ignominy of being dropped from the side for good.

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