ST JOHN’S, Antigua – For 21 years he thrilled fans in the West Indies and all over the world. Today, October 25, he received the Honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of the West Indies.
We salute Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul at the University of the West Indies graduation ceremony. Photo courtesy of UWI
The 44-year-old is one of the most outstanding batsmen in West Indies history. He is presently one of the CWI Ambassadors for the ICC Women’s World T20 tournament – to be played in the West Indies from November 9 to 24.
Jennifer Nero, Director of CWI and Tournament Director of ICC Women’s World T20, paid a special tribute to Chanderpaul.
“We want to congratulate Shivnarine Chanderpaul on this significant honour by UWI. It is well deserved. He is an outstanding West Indian, a truly remarkable person who rose to become one of the finest cricketers in West Indies history. A student of the game, a wise head, a strong individual, a leader and fine example to the young people of this region,” Nero said.
“He has demonstrated by virtue of his commitment and performances that once you are prepared to work hard you will reap reward, respect and global acclaim.”
Nero added: “Shiv joined our project team for the ICC Women’s World T20 tournament and has made an immediate impact, again demonstrating his immense passion for the game and his love for the people of the Caribbean.”
During his outstanding international career, which spanned over two decades, Shiv played a record 161 Test matches. He scored 11,867 runs, including 30 centuries, at an impressive average of 51.37 runs per innings.
His top score was 203 not out, which he made on two occasions – against South Africa at his home ground in Guyana and against Bangladesh in Dhaka. He also excelled in 268 One-Day Internationals and scored 8,778 runs, with a best of 150 not out, among his 11 centuries.
In first-class cricket, he has so far played 385 matches, and scored 27,545 runs at an average of over 53 runs per innings. He has 77 centuries and 144 half-centuries so far, with a career-best score of 303 not out for Guyana against Jamaica at Sabina Park.
Overall in this professional career, he has so far made over 1,000 appearances and scored over 50,000 runs – including more than 100 centuries and over 200 half-centuries.
He has received several accolades with the most significant coming in 2008, when he batted for over 1,000 minutes without being dismissed and averaged close to 150 in the Test series against Australia. These awards include the Sir Garfield Sobers trophy for ICC Cricketer of the Year, Wisden Cricketer of the Year, and WICB West Indies Player of the Year.