New role for Chanderpaul

Shivnarine Chanderpaul has been pushed up the order for West Indies © Getty Images

West Indies star batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul will be given the opportunity to inflict more misery on England by being pushed up the order for the second NatWest Series clash at Edgbaston.

Chanderpaul averaged 148.66 in the four-match Test series with England and occupied the crease for 24 hours and 32 minutes to score 446 runs when batting at number five.

He continued in the same position in the opening 50-over meeting at Lord’s on Sunday, scoring an unbeaten half-century but running out of partners as England triumphed by 79 runs.

But Windies skipper Chris Gayle confirmed the 32-year-old will be promoted as his side look to level the series and set up a decider at Trent Bridge on Saturday.

Gayle said: “It is something that is definitely going to happen but we haven’t decided where as yet. We are still in discussion. But ‘Shiv’ will go higher up.

“We went back to the drawing board and tried to see where it went wrong at Lord’s. We know where it went wrong with the batting and hopefully the guys can come better prepared next time.

“Shiv was the only batter who got a start and carried on. We put him at number five as a left-hander to combat Monty Panesar but this way we can maybe utilise him for more overs.”

Chris Gayle has struggled with the bat in hand © Getty Images

Gayle has endured a difficult time with the bat in England against a background of being in conflict with the West Indies Cricket Board over some of his outspoken comments.

But he is determined to try to finish with a flourish and insists he is putting to one side any action the WICB may take against him.

He said: “It has been a while since I got a big score. I haven’t really stepped up to the plate and got the job done as a batter and I’ve been struggling out there.

“As a professional, these things do happen but you have to pick yourself up and keep believing in your ability. I am trying to lead from the front and I am sure the guys will follow.”

Gayle is relishing his brief spell as captain in the absence of the injured Ramnaresh Sarwan and believes he has the backing and respect of the players.

He said: “I think it is all about respect. I have a lot of respect for the guys and I am sure they give me the same support as well on the field.

“There is good friendship as well. We all get on and players feel free to discuss whatever. It makes it much easier out there for me to lead the guys.

“Captaincy is not something I dwell on but I am trying to make the best of it and hopefully in the future Sarwan will be back to take over.

“How hard has it been personally? I am only human and it is very hard. It is very hard to be dealing with all these things but I am preparing myself for these sort of things in life.

“I just go out there and try and get the job done. It doesn’t matter what the circumstances may be.

“Will the West Indies Board make you a scapegoat? I am not thinking about that right now. I guess I’ll have to cross that bridge when I come up against it.”