Axed West Indies middle order batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan told Stabroek Sport yesterday that he has been getting mixed signals about his non-selection for the tour to Sri Lanka next month and this has prompted him to focus his energies on assisting the development of Guyana’s cricket.
He pointed out that ever since he learnt of the senior selectors’ decision not to include him in the team for Sri Lanka, no concrete explanation has been given to him.
“One time it is my attitude, the next time is my fitness. I am getting mixed signals. I have been working on my fitness so I don’t know what they (selectors) are using, and I have always been committed to West Indies and Guyana’s cricket,” Sarwan emphasised.
Sarwan reflected on his work with the national and Demerara teams and indicated that he has been working hard and many persons can attest to this. “You have to be fit to play 20/20 cricket,” adding that he has been working to improve his fitness after his injury during the South Africa tour to the Caribbean earlier this year.
The disappointed Sarwan, who averages over 40 in both Test and ODIs, said for the public to know the exact reason (s) for the WICB’s action, that will have to be obtained from the selectors and CEO Ernest Hilaire. Sarwan reiterated that that he was disappointed with being overlooked for selection to the regional team but somehow he was not surprised.
Sarwan’s problems started when he was overlooked for the WICB’s central retainer contract in September and it was further compounded when he was not selected for the three Test matches and five ODI’s in next month’s tour.
The 29-year-old also stated that as a sportsman it is highly likely one could pick up an injury at any time. One comment from the board had alluded to the player not being able to complete a tour without injury.
He pointed out that this period of his career will give him an opportunity to further develop his cricket and work with young cricketers who also need assistance.
He stated also in the telephone interview that he still has a lot of cricket in him and therefore he can make a sound contribution to Guyana’s cricket despite his disappointment.
He related that he has no intentions of retiring but was adamant that after this episode “everything will fall back into its right place.”
“My goal at this time is to commit myself to cricket in Guyana. There is the four-day competition and other competitions in Guyana and I will be meeting with members of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) to discuss strategies on the way forward for cricket in Guyana,” the stylish right hander explained.
Meanwhile, Sarwan said that he wishes the newly- appointed captain of the team Darren Sammy success in Sri Lanka. He pointed out that it will not be easy but he believes that Sammy is a good leader.
Commenting on former captain and vice captain Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo not accepting the WICB retainer contracts, he said that they are mature enough to make their decisions, adding that the way game has evolved “it is their right to sign or not sign.”
