ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Batting legend Shiv Chanderpaul has been appointed batting consultant to the West Indies Under-19s for their training camp starting Monday.
The 47-year-old joins a coaching staff headed by Floyd Reifer, as preparation ramps up for next year’s ICC Under-19 World Cup in the Caribbean from January 4 to February 3.
“We want to welcome Shivnarine Chanderpaul to the Rising Stars U19s group and we look forward to him working with our young players at this critical stage in their development pathway,” said director of cricket, Jimmy Adams.
“Shiv has a tremendous amount of cricketing knowledge and know-how and he will be a great addition to the coaching staff.
“We already have another icon of the game in Sir Curtly Ambrose, who has been involved with the squad since the camp in August, as well as several other outstanding coaches.”
Sir Curtly has served as bowling coach, with former Test spinner Ryan Austin (spin bowling) and ex-first class players Steve Liburd (fielding), Jamal Smith (wicketkeeping) and Rohan Nurse (assistant head coach) completing the coaching staff.
Chanderpaul, who exited international cricket six years ago after scoring 11 867 runs from 164 Tests, has recently served as a member of the Guyana Jaguars coaching staff in the regional domestic championship.
The training camp will run from November 15-28 at Coolidge Cricket Ground here and will see 28 players come under the microscope, including newcomers Jaden Leacock and Kevin Wickham.
Leacock is a right-arm fast-medium bowler and right-hand batsman while Wickham is a right-handed batsman who bowls right-arm wrist spin.
Chief Under-19s selector, Robert Haynes, said the preparation camp would be key to the selection of the final squad for next year’s tournament.
“Having had a month-long camp in Antigua in August followed by the 18-man West Indies Under-19 squad tour of England, I am looking forward to seeing the continued progress and improvements of the various players as well as to interact with them to understand their thinking and approach to the game,” Haynes said.
“The two-week camp will include four practice matches along with continued skills and physical development, and it’s an opportunity for all players invited to stake a claim for selection for the series at home and the ICC Under19 Cricket World Cup.”