Chanderpaul the answer for Durham

Jul 16 2008 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

DURHAM have found the perfect solution to their recent batting problems with the world’s most prolific run-scorer joining them for today’s game at Surrey.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s second Durham debut had been delayed after the Guyanese left-hander requested a week to recover from the burden of carrying the West Indies’ hopes on his shoulders. But Dale Benkenstein hopes his appearance at Guildford today will take the weight off his less experienced batsmen.

The Riversiders’ batting line-up looked threadbare in their last game against Somerset, even more so when Benkenstein opted for an extra bowler once rain wiped out the first four sessions at Chester-le-Street. That it did not cost the hosts victory was down more to the weather.

Historically, Durham’s problem has been an over-reliance on Benkenstein and one overseas opener – currently Italian-qualified Australian Michael Di Venuto. The captain acknowledged Chanderpaul will help anyway, but he is willing to take more than his fair share of the burden if it allows his youngsters to develop.

“We’ve got a lot better in that respect,” said Benkenstein. “Last season there was a bit less emphasis on me and Diva to get the runs. The young guys are doing some good things and the potential is there. It can be hard sometimes, but you have to be patient when you’re talking about developing batsmen.

“The arrival of Shiv will take the pressure off Diva and me a bit and it balances the side out nicely as we’ve been a batsman down since (Albie) Morkel left. His arrival will take some of the pressure off us, but at the end of the day, it’s our job to take on the responsibility for scoring runs in the side and we know that.”

Chanderpaul, who had a short stint as Durham’s overseas player in the second half of last season, is ranked the second best batsman in Test cricket but even that underplays his talent. Since January 1, 2007, the unorthodox left-hander averages 105.41 in a struggling side.

Despite being involved in an extremely tight County Championship title race and two one-day competitions, Benkenstein is prepared to give the likes of Mark Stoneman and Will Smith time to develop.

“We’ve got a lot more experience than the others but it takes time to learn the art of batting,” he said. “There’s not a lot of people who have the right frame of mind to score big runs consistently and we understand that. The only way you improve is by playing so you can’t be too hard on the younger guys. As much as you don’t want that to be an excuse, it is a fact.”

Chanderpaul is expected to take Ben Harmison’s place, though he will probably bat at four, while 18-year-old leg-spinner Scott Borthwick could make his Championship debut if the Guildford pitch looks spin-friendly. The nephew of former Northumberland batsman David played three Twenty20 Cup games this season, impressing with 3-23 on his debut against Lancashire. Graham Onions’ place is the most at threat if he plays.

Surrey will be without captain Mark Butcher who had knee surgery last month and ex-West Indies fast bowler Pedro Collins. Former England leg-spinner Chris Schofield, who had a short spell with Durham’s seconds, has an outside chance of playing after recovering from fractured thumb.

DURHAM (from): Di Venuto, Stoneman, W Smith, Chanderpaul, Benkenstein (c), B Harmison, Mustard (wk), Wiseman, Borthwick, Plunkett, Thorp, S Harmison, Onions.