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Chanderpaul takes up college coaching in America

February 17, 2010 21:01 IST

It's a first in American cricket, still in its infancy.

It's also a first for the person involved - Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

Shivnarine ChanderpaulThe 2008 ICC and Wisden Cricketer of the Year will be now be the Head Coach of American College Cricket.

It is the first instance of an active Test player getting so involved with the game in the United States.

The West Indies batsman has already endowed the Chanderpaul Trophy for the champion team in the American College Cricket Spring Break Championship and has endorsed the championships right from the beginning.

"It's been gratifying to see the response of cricketers across the USA to the thought of playing in the American College Cricket Spring Break Championship. Some talent has already emerged, such as Adil Bhatti and Ankit Sehgal - it's exciting to wonder how many more players will take advantage of the opportunities the Championship presents," said Chanderpaul," adding, "Right now I'm happily playing cricket all over the world but when my schedule permits, I'd like to do some coaching of college cricketers in the USA.

"The resources of the USA can bring so much to the game. Doing my bit to assist cricket in the USA is helping cricket everywhere."

Chanderpaul, the only batsman to bat 1000 consecutive balls in Tests without being dismissed, said his effort will be towards trying to make it to the presentation of the Chanderpaul Trophy to the National Champions on March 21st in Florida.

The southpaw, presently recuperating from a hand injury which forced him to miss the one-day series Down Under, has also been working with the Guyana Minister of Sports Frank Anthony to develop the game in schools in Guyana, where his teenage son Brandon lives and plays.