Chanderpaul's ouster: Michael Holding supports decision, says southpaw no more good enough

Kingston (Jamaica), May 29: Former West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding backed the country's selectors over the decision to exclude veteran batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul for the home series against Australia next month. The decision has sparked a controversy with former ace batsman Brian Lara backing Chanderpaul and accusing the selectors of mistreating a renowned player. [Chanderpaul disappointed over exclusion, Lara backs batsman]

Chanderpaul, the second-highest scorer for the West Indies in Tests and needs just 87 runs to overtake Lara to become the list topper, said he wanted to play the Australia series before quitting.

Holding, who was known as Whispering Death during his playing days, however thinks otherwise. He said the 40-year-old southpaw, who scored 183 runs in his last 11 innings at a mediocre average of 16.64, was not good enough to be picked for the Caribbean side.

Holding said he didn't believe in the idea that players should get to play in a series just for the sake of it. He admitted that Chanderpaul has given West Indies cricket a lot over two decades but reiterated that all good things have come to an end.

Holding also said that the Chanderpaul he saw against South Africa recently was not the one he has seen all these years. He echoed chief selector Clive Lloyd's thought of making way for the younger players.

He said Chanderpaul has shown that one can overcome technical deficiencies through hard work.

Oneindia News