Chanderpaul joins 7,000-run club
Shivnarine Chanderpaul became the third West Indian to reach 7000 runs on One-Day Internationals on Friday. The left-hander made 127 not out against Zimbabwe in the first One-Day International and in the process reached the landmark.He now sits on 7102 runs. The other West Indians to reach 7000 runs are legendary left-hander Brian Lara with 10405 in 289 innings and opening batting great Desmond Haynes with 8648 in 237 innings.
On Friday, Chanderpaul was playing his 209th innings in One-Day Internationals and faced 138 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes. At the end of the innings he was forced to bat with a runner after suffering from cramp.Zimbabwe won the match by 30 runs after the West Indies managed 244 for eight in 50 overs, replying to 274 for eight in 50 overs.
"I feel good to reach the landmark. I knew I was near and it feels good to get there and also get a hundred for the West Indies," the 33-year-old said. "I would have liked to finish the job with a win, but that was not to be."
Chanderpaul said the cramp was not a major problem and he will be fit for Sunday’s second One-Day International at the Harare Sports Club.
West Indies captain Chris Gayle said his team was "outplayed in every department, in every category."
"They bowled better, batted better, and were very good in the field. They won the match because they simply were better than us," Gayle added.
The captain said his team will now have to regroup and come back strong if they are to challenge the opponents in the five-match series.
"We will have to lift ourselves and pull up our socks. We fell down but we will bounce back. We never underestimated Zimbabwe. We respect them. We have no excuses. We played badly and lost."