Lancashire captain Croft lauds Chanderpaul impact

Lancashire captain Croft lauds Chanderpaul impact

At the grand old age of 42, there were question marks over whether Shivnarine Chanderpaul would still be able to deliver when Lancashire brought him in on a Kolpak deal for this season.

But the West Indian icon has put all of those doubts to bed with a string of sensational performances and two centuries in his first three matches of the season.

Chanderpaul has also proven he still has the stomach for the fight, helping Lancashire to fight back from difficult positions with those two centuries. His 182 against Surrey at the Oval came after the Red Rose slipped to a position of 67-5, while his hundred against Yorkshire last time out at Old Trafford came from a position of 68-4 replying to Yorkshire’s 448.

That century against their Roses rivals was Chanderpaul’s 75th first-class hundred and Lancashire captain Steven Croft has praised the impact that the veteran West Indian has made.

“I think we all knew what Shiv was capable of,” Croft said.

“There were probably a few doubters out there, because of his age, and he’s obviously proved them wrong.

“Last time against Yorkshire it was another brilliant innings from Shiv, as normal. Him and Ryan McLaren put up a really good fight.

“He’s amazing. I don’t think I’ll be moving as well or batting as well as he is when I’m 42. Or even I did when I was half his age!”

This is Chanderpaul’s second spell at Old Trafford, having played eight first-class matches for the Red Rose back in 2010.

His class and scoring record was undeniable, boasting a Test average of 51.37, but the experience that he brings to the squad was a key reason Lancashire were looking to sign him – having lost experienced players in Ashwell Prince and Alviro Petersen over the last two summers.

“He’s been brilliant for us, taking that role that we lost from Alviro’s [Petersen] departure from last season,” Croft said.

“He just scores his runs. From a captains’ point of view and a teams’ point of view he’s that rock that we need really.”

Chanderpaul will be searching for his 76th first-class century when Lancashire renew hostilities with their Roses rivals, with a trip across the Pennines to face Yorkshire this Friday.

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