CHELTENHAM, England, CMC – Veteran West Indies campaigner Shivnarine Chanderpaul was eyeing his 70th first class hundred after stroking an unbeaten half-century, to help Derbyshire make a strong reply to Gloucestershire on the second day of their County Championship match here yesterday.
The Guyanese left-hander, who turns 40 next month, finished the day on 50 not out – an innings that pushed the visitors up to 216 for two at the close at College Ground.
Earlier, Gloucestershire were dismissed for 356, after resuming the day on 304 for six, with Will Gidman converting his unbeaten 88 into 125.
Chanderpaul has so far added 105 for the third wicket with captain Wayne Madsen who was unbeaten on 79.
Madsen, batting at number three, had earlier put on 81 for the second wicket with opener Ben Slater, who hammered 70 off 119 balls with eight fours. Chanderpaul then joined Madsen in another enterprising stand, which left Derbyshire adrift by only 140 runs.
Chanderpaul has so far batted just over two hours, faced 107 balls and struck five fours while Madsen has spent 196 minutes at the crease, consumed 119 balls and struck eight boundaries.
The experienced Test batsman survived a chance on 14 when he was mis-stumped by wicketkeeper Adam Rouse off left-arm spinner Tom Smith, just after tea.
Chanderpaul has been in good form since returning from West Indies duty against New Zealand, hitting 92 against Essex at Chesterfield last week.