GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Ramnaresh Sarwan feels his time as West Indies captain has passed and fully endorses Chris Gayle for the position.
Sarwan has joined the list of current players throwing their weight behind Gayle for the position ahead of the West Indies’ tour of Australia, starting next month.
Sarwan, as well as Gayle, Trinidad & Tobago captain Daren Ganga, T&T vice captain Dwayne Bravo, as well as T&T wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin have all been put forward in public discussion for the position.
“I got injured just when I was appointed captain and things did not really work out for me, so I think my time has passed,” said Sarwan at a news conference yesterday.
“I want to concentrate on improving my cricket and my full support is with whoever is appointed captain.”
Sarwan – like several other current players – believes that Gayle has not done a bad job as captain and has also done well with the bat as leader and should be given the opportunity to continue.
“Chris has got the support of all of the players, and I think that is very important in any team sport,” said Sarwan.
“He has done a good job so far and I know he is committed to West Indies cricket.”
Sarwan – like many of the leading West Indies players – have been out of the mainstream of the game, since July when they stayed away from international duties because of a contractual dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board.
The home team captain noted that the time away from the game had allowed him time to heal from a few injuries. He is now ready for action and declared that he was anxious to tackle the one-week assignment.
“I have not played first-class cricket for a while, and I am anxious to be back in West Indies colours and representing the people in the region,” he said.
“I am looking forward to a good season with the bat, and also to lead Guyana to the title. With everyone home it’s not going to be easy, and we expect tough, competitive cricket over the next week or so.”
Sarwan disclosed that he did not follow closely the results of the matches involving the depleted West Indies side against Bangladesh and in the ICC Champions Trophy.
“I cannot speak much about the team’s performance in the matches that I did not play in because I did not really look at the cricket much,” he said.
But Sarwan will lead Guyana in the WICB President’s Cup limited-overs competition which opens on Wednesday here.
The Guyana captain was disappointed with the national team’s preparations for the competition and was critical of the practice facilities.
“I don’t think we got the best out of our last practice session, since to my mind the facility was not the best for a national team session,” he said.
