The 40-year-old Guyanan, a veteran of 164 Tests, has been a regular member of the Caribbean Test squad since his debut in 1994.

Chanderpaul has amassed 11,867 Test runs -- an agonising 86 behind West Indies' record run-getter Brian Lara. But the left-handed batsman has managed just 92 runs in three matches against England at an average of 15.33.

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While Lara had openly backed Chanderpaul and said that his former teammate deserved a farewell series, many former players, including pace ace Michael Holding, believe that the veteran's time is up.

Chanderpaul though had wanted to play in the series as a farewell on his terms. "My request to finish up with the Australian series is not asking too much," Chanderpaul was quoted as saying in the local newspaper Kaiteur News.

"It gives me a chance to acknowledge my supporters at home...I should not be pushed into retirement." West Indies and Australia will play two Tests -- in Dominica from Wednesday an at Sabina Park, Jamaica, from June 11-15.