The possessor of the crabbiest technique in world cricket, Shivnarine Chanderpaul proves there is life beyond the coaching handbook. He never seems to play in the V, or off the front foot, but uses soft hands, canny deflections, and a whiplash pull-shot to maintain a Test average over 40. In cricket terms, Chanderpaul has had two main problems: first, a low conversion rate of around one hundred to every ten fifties, and secondly, his physical frailty, widely thought to be hypochondria. That myth was exploded when a large piece of floating bone was removed from his foot late in 2000, and, suitably liberated, he set about rectifying his hundreds problem, scoring three in four Tests against India in 2001-02, and two more in the home series against Australia the following year, including 104 as West Indies successfully chased a world-record 418 for victory in the final Test in Antigua.

A good run in South Africa in 2003-04 preceded a tough one with England - only his second lean trot in a decade of international cricket. But like in the good ol' days, he rediscovered form on the tour to England, and though his batting did not change the team's fortunes, it lessened the margins of defeat greatly. However, in the Champions Trophy that followed, he contributed to the victory greatly with a consistent performance.

The following year he was appointed West Indian captain during an acrimonious contracts dispute, and celebrated with a double-century in front of his home fans in Guyana, although he was too passive in the field to prevent South Africa taking the series. Displaying a rare streak of violence, he once managed to shoot a policeman in the hand in his native Guyana, mistaking him for a mugger. In April 2006 he resigned as captain citing a need to focus on his batting. Having not made even a fifty in West Indies' last two Test series, his 301 runs in four games against India at home was a welcome relief. It was tough to predict his approach - in Antigua, with his side fighting for a draw, he made a glorious fifty; in St Kitts, with his side pushing for a win, he bizarrely turned defensive - but he remained the glue that held the batting together.

Nothing changed in the 2006-07 season where he looted 744 runs at 57.23 with six fifties and two consecutive hundreds - an unbeaten 149 against India being the highlight, in the ODIs. Like a limpet, he single handedly defied England's bowlers in 2007 with 446 runs in three Tests and was snapped up by Durham for the remainder of the season. Who needs Lara?
Simon Briggs / Will Luke May 2008

Wisden Cricketer of the Year 2008
ICC Player of the Year 2008

• Mission Impossible for selectors (Nov 17, 2008)
  
• Chanderpaul commits to Durham (Nov 13, 2008)
  
• Setting the standards (Oct 21, 2008)
  
• Last man standing for West Indies (Sep 14, 2008)
  
• Langer shines but weather wins (Sep 12, 2008)
  

View the full list of 306 related articles

Nov 14, 2008 Shivnarine Chanderpaul raises his bat after reaching his century © AFP

Oct 23, 2008 Portrait of Shivnarine Chanderpaul © Stanford 20/20

Sep 11, 2008 Shivnarine Chanderpaul scrambles a single © PA Photos

View the full list of 265 related images