Sarwan out of reckoning for Windies after Leicestershire signing

LEICESTER, England, CMC – Experienced stroke-maker Ramnaresh Sarwan seems set to be unavailable for West Indies’ upcoming engagements after striking a deal with Leicestershire as their overseas player for the imminent County season.

Ramnaresh Sarwan

The club announced that it had signed the elegant right-hander for the entire 2012 season subject to approval from the West Indies Cricket Board and United Kingdom immigration authorities.

“We are delighted to have completed the signing of Ramnaresh Sarwan,” said chief executive Mike Siddall.

“He has an impressive Test record and his availability to play all forms of the game for us during the 2012 season is an added bonus. We wanted to sign an experienced overseas batsman and Ronnie certainly fits the bill.”

Sarwan’s commitment to the club rules him out of Australia’s tour of the Caribbean which runs from March 16 to April 27 and the subsequent tour of England that bowls off May 5 and ends June 24.

West Indies also host New Zealand in the Caribbean from June 23 to August 2.

The 31-year-old averages 40 from 87 Tests and 41 from 173 One-day Internationals but has not played for West Indies since last June because of fitness issues.

Last month, he was dumped by Guyana for the Caribbean Twenty20 as confusion reigned over his fitness and was mysteriously omitted from the squad for the ongoing Regional first class championship, after initially being named.

The 31-year-old Sarwan, who has played for Gloucestershire in the past, is expected to join the Leicestershire squad on their pre-season tour of Barbados next month before flying to the UK for the start of the season on April 5.

Leicestershire will compete in Division Two of the County Championship and will open their season against Glamorgan at their home ground at Grace Road.