SHIVNARINE CHANDERPAUL: Sometimes I am, sometimes I'm not.

by PHILIP SPOONER

WEST INDIES cricket captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul says there's only so much he can do on the field, because of "instructions coming from inside".

The 31-year-old, who has been recommended by the selectors to lead the Test and One-Day teams in the tour of New Zealand starting next month, has been bearing the brunt of criticism for the defeats of the West Indies cricket team. Yesterday, in an impassioned plea, he called on his detractors to be a bit more lenient.

THE DAILY NATION caught up with the skipper over breakfast shortly after 9 a.m. as he was preparing to attend the opening day of a leadership seminar at the CLR James Centre at the Cave Hill Campus of UWI.

"As captain on the field there is only so much I can do. You are always hearing what I can do and what I cannot do. There are instructions coming from inside," he said at the poolside.

"... There is not much I can do, really. There are a lot of things coming from inside. Am I happy? Sometimes I am, sometimes I'm not ... I'd like to leave it at that."

Chanderpaul, who took over the captaincy from Brian Lara, was clearly referring to instructions from coach Bennett King while in the field.

"Last year was a tough year for me, but I am always willing to fight for West Indies cricket. As captain of the West Indies cricket team I understand there will be some criticism and that comes with the territory," he said.

"Leading the West Indies is an honour and a pleasure for me. We all have to come together and focus on one goal... we have to be all heading in one direction. It's a matter of going out every time and trying to lead from the front. I remain committed to West Indies cricket and the team," said the left-handed batsman.

"The detractors will always be there, but as captain I have to be focused and concentrate on my job and my team."

After the heavy defeat in Australia late last year, calls abounded for the axing of Chanderpaul, a veteran of 91 Test matches. He entered the West Indies team as a frail teenager in March 1994 and has made 6 156 runs in Tests and 5 281 runs in 178 One-Day Internationals.

Yesterday morning Chanderpaul had not yet been informed of the structure of the team to tour New Zealand, but did not express any surprise when this reporter gave him the names published.

"New Zealand are tough opponents and will be even tougher at home. They can be beaten, but we have to do the right things all the time. We have to match them and be even better than they are. However, it's not going to happen unless we get it right on and off the field. That's the way I see it."

Chanderpaul has led the team in 11 Test matches, losing eight, drawing two and winning one. In One-Day Internationals he has won one, losing 11.

* philipspooner@nationnews.com