Chanderpaul has played 164 Tests and only needs 87 runs to surpass Lara as the highest West Indian run-scorer in Tests

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Legendary West Indies batsman Brian Lara has slammed the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and national selectors for denying Shivnarine Chanderpaul the opportunity to have a farewell series.

Lara’s comments come after Chanderpaul was not included in the squad for the upcoming Test series against Australia.

According to chief selector Clive Lloyd and head coach Phil Simmons, Chanderpaul was dropped due to his poor run of form with the bat as of late.

“This has absolutely nothing to do with runs or numbers,” Lara told the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian. “It has to do with respect and Chanderpaul has earned the right to say goodbye in an acceptable way. In fact, he should be allowed to do it in his own way.

“The manner in which they deal with their players is despicable and should no longer be tolerated. When you look back to so many of our heroes and the manner in which they were dumped, it makes you shudder.”

Lara also feels that Chanderpaul should be treated the same way India great Sachin Tendulkar was when he announced his retirement as the 40-year-old has represented the West Indies in Tests for 21 years.

“What did they do?” Lara asked. “They organised a Test series in his [Tendulkar] honour and gave him a farewell in keeping with his contribution to the game.

“In that way, there will be no hostility and whether he makes a double-century or a duck, it doesn’t matter, it will be his farewell series and the entire cricketing world will know that. He deserves it. The WICB and the Caribbean owe it to Shiv to send him off with dignity and respect. He has earned it.”