Chanderpaul’s historic double century

Tagenarine Chanderpaul converted his maiden Test hundred into a splendid double, and combined with Captain Kraigg Brathwaite to shatter West Indies’ 33-year-old record for the opening partnership, as the Caribbean side took charge of the opening Test against Zimbabwe, recently.

With the rain which had plagued the first two days of the contest staying away, Chanderpaul and Brathwaite exploited the favorable conditions at the Queens Sports Club to propel West Indies to an imposing 447 for six declared in their first innings.

The 26-year-old Chanderpaul, in only his third Test, finished unbeaten on 207 after resuming the morning on 101. He faced 467 balls in just shy of ten hours at the crease and struck 16 fours and 3 sixes, becoming only the tenth West Indies batter to turn his maiden Test century into a double.

Braithwaite, meanwhile, unbeaten on 116 at the start, made 182, his second highest Test score, falling just short of a second double hundred in Tests. All told, his knock spanned 312 deliveries, a shade over eight hours and included 18 fours.

Former West Indies cricketer, Sir Gordon Greenidge. Associated Press/Lefteris Pitarakis, File

Resuming the morning with their 221 without loss, the pair extended their opening stand to 336, marching past the West Indies record of 298 set by the legends Sir Gordon Greenidge and the most Hon. Desmond Haynes in the 1990 against England.

The partnership was also the ninth highest ever Test opening stand and the first in excess of 300 in nearly a decade.