Sew Shivnarine - West Indies Batsman

During the era of Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket,wickets.
a number of players got the chance to play TestIn eight Tests, Shivnarine scored 379 runs at an
cricket. Guyanese middle-order batsman, Sewdattaverage of 29.15. Of those 379 runs, four were fifties -
(Sew) Shivnarine, was one such player. He got thetwo of which came on his home ground. With his slow
chance to play two Test series - against Australia andleft arm orthodox bowling, the middle-order batsman
India in 1978 and 1979 because of defections by thesnared a solitary Test wicket. Despite the promising
first choice players. He had moderate success in thosestart to his Test career, Shivnarine was discarded
two series, although his last three matches wereafter the Test series against India in 1979. This was
disappointing.due to the return of the experienced players and his
Born in Berbice, Guyana on May 13, 1952, Sewpoor form in his last three matches. Sixteen runs from
Shivnarine made his debut for Guyana as a nineteenfour innings is not a decent return by any means.
year old in the 1970/ 1971 season. The left-handedShivnarine also played a solitary ODI for the West
cricketer batted right handed and bowled left armIndies in 1979 - against Australia at Castries, St. Lucia.
orthodox spin. It was only when he was 25 that heThere, he scored an unbeaten 20 and bowled three
earned the opportunity for the West Indies because ofovers for 16 runs as the West Indies lost by two
the absence of key players in the regional side.wickets. At First Class level, the Guyanese batsman
Shivnarine's Test debut came on his home ground inscored 2182 runs at an average of 32.56. Of those
Bourda, Guyana against Australia in March 1978.2182 runs, he scored three centuries and 14 fifties. His
Batting in seventh position in the order, the Guyanesebest score was an unbeaten 131. Towards the end of
batman scored 53 in the first innings. In the secondhis career, Shivnarine played a few one-day matches,
innings, he scored his second Test fifty - 63. Thatbut did not distinguish himself in that format. He stopped
score proved to be his highest in the eight Tests heplaying official cricket in the 1980/ 1981 season - at age
played. Despite the right-handed batsman's 116 runs in29.
that match, the West Indies fell to Australia by three