Holding backs selectors' decision on Chanderpaul

Shiv Chanderpaul was not picked for the Test series against Australia

Former West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding has backed the selectors’ decision to drop veteran batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul from the Test squad for the home series against Australia starting next week.

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Holding said that he too believes that Shiv is no longer good enough to play for the West Indies. "I don't believe that cricketers should just get a series for getting a series sake. I don't think Shivnarine Chanderpaul has proven in recent times that he is still a good enough player to be playing for West Indies," he said. "He has done yeoman service for over two decades. West Indies should be happy to have had him playing for them for that long. All good things have to come to an end.”

"I saw him play against South Africa recently and he certainly did not look like the Shivnarine Chanderpaul that I was accustomed to seeing. He was a little bit slow with his reactions to the fast bowlers and we know what Australia are going to be bringing."

"Chanderpaul has to make way for someone younger. The person that comes in obviously is not going to fill Chanderpaul's shoes immediately. He has done so much good work for West Indies. But it is time for someone younger than him who can grow into those shoes."

Even though former skipper Brian Lara has slammed the selectors for dropping Chanderpaul without giving him a farewell, Holding reiterated that he had no problems with it. From what I have heard I don't think anybody can complain. From what I heard they called him, had a meeting with him. They told him exactly what they would like to do and I have no problems with that. I don't think Chanderpaul is ever going to be one to say, 'listen, my time has come and I have to move on'. So they have done the right thing."

In the end, he also praised Chanderpaul’s contribution to West Indies cricket. "Chanderpaul's legacy will be someone who went and played for West Indies and gave his all for a very long time. To show everyone that if you can go out and work hard, if you have deficiencies in technique and you work hard enough, you can produce the goods," he concluded.