Sarwan plays down pick in Windies 30-man squad

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Discarded West Indies batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan has downplayed his inclusion in a 30-man squad to prepare for next year’s Cricket World Cup in India.

“It is always an honour to represent the West Indies and the World Cup is a massive tournament but I don’t want to get too much ahead of myself,” the 30-year-old said.

“Right now doing well in the [Caribbean Twenty20 Championship] and qualifying for next year’s Champions League in India is our (Guyana) main objective. I am enjoying my cricket and looking to play a key role for Guyana.”

The stylish right-hander is one of West Indies’ finest One-Day International batsmen, and currently averages 43.94 from 156 games, higher than any other current player.

However, he has not played international cricket since last May after being axed from the West Indies squad and denied a central a retainer contract.

Overlooked for the recent tour of Sri Lanka, Sarwan said he had spent time addressing his fitness, an issue the West Indies Cricket Board cited as the reason for his contract snub.

“I have been working hard with the Guyana team. I am feeling fitter and stronger as the days go by,” Sarwan said.

“I had a good knock in the Inter-County T20 competition and I feel I am striking the ball nicely so all I can do is to keep playing well, do what I have to do and hope that everything falls into place.”

Sarwan led Guyana to the capture of last July’s inaugural Caribbean Twenty20 Championship and is poised to oversee their defence of the title in next month’s tournament which runs from January 10-23 in Antigua and Barbados.