Chanderpaul joins Derbyshire

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Shivnarine Chanderpaul, the number-two-ranked Test batsman and former number one, has signed a two-year contract with promoted Derbyshire.

The 38-year-old left-hander, still a Test regular for West Indies, is expected to be available for all county competitions in 2013 and his deal includes the club having first option to keep him for a third season.

In November, Chanderpaul hit his 26th and 27th Test tons, taking him to 10,696 runs at an average of 51.67 in 146 games. He is behind only Michael Clarke in the five-day rankings. Chanderpaul’s most recent limited-overs international was at the 2011 World Cup and he has a one-day international average of 41.60.

Chanderpaul, who boasts a first-class average of 56.32, has had previous spells in the county game, helping Durham win the County Championship in 2008 and 2009, with Lancashire during 2010 and most recently Warwickshire in 2011. In the latter stint, he made three hundreds and averaged 89.83 in five matches to help the club finish second in Division One.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul's 26th and 27th Test centuries came in November. He is set to play for Derbyshire for the coming two campaigns

“I’m excited to be joining an ambitious club with a talented young side,” he said. “I was impressed with Karl Krikken’s vision for the team and am looking forward to linking up with them at the start of the season.”

Head coach Krikken said: “Shivnarine’s statistics in all forms of the game speak for themselves and he has been one of the standout players on the world stage for a long time.

“He knows what it takes to be successful and, as well as his outstanding ability with the bat, there is no doubt Shivnarine will have a hugely positive effect on our talented young squad as we embark on the challenge of Division One cricket.”

In winning the Division Two title last year, Derbyshire were aided significantly by overseas batsmen Martin Guptill and Usman Khawaja, who were the county’s two players with championship batting averages over 40.

Chairman Chris Grant said: “We have recruited a world-class player at the peak of his game and I hope this sends a message to our members and supporters that we mean business ahead of the 2013 season. The fact that Derbyshire are able to attract someone of his calibre is an indication of our ambition and the esteem in which the club is now held in the cricketing world.

“I would also like to place on record our thanks to Martin Guptill and Usman Khawaja who shared the overseas role during each of the last two seasons. They both played a massive part in achieving promotion for the club and will be welcomed back to the County Ground in future should an opportunity arise.

“We will continue to talk to Martin about the possibility of extending his UK stay after the New Zealand tour finishes this summer and joining Derbyshire's Friends Life t20 campaign.”

Chief executive Simon Storey said: “We have already seen a very positive response to our membership and business club campaigns for the coming season. The addition of a world-class player to augment our exciting young squad is another reason why supporters, members and local business partners will not want to miss out on this exciting season.”

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