PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Embattled off-spinner Sunil Narine could be available again soon for West Indies in the longest version of the game but first wants to continue fine-turning his action.
West Indies head coach Phil Simmons said he had spoken to the 27-year-old during the Caribbean Premier League who indicated he would make himself available only for the limited overs versions at this stage.
“Speaking with Narine during the Caribbean Premier League, he still wants to be 100 percent confident about the consistency of his action before returning to Test cricket,” Simmons told the Trinidad Newsday newspaper.
“He noted he is happy with the improvement (in) his action during CPL and is available for West Indies in the limited overs section at present.”
Narine has not suited up for the Windies in over a year, with his last appearance coming during Bangladesh’s tour of the Caribbean last year August. His last Test outing was nearly two years ago.
His action has since come under heavy scrutiny in the Indian Premier League and he was twice called for a suspect action during the Champions League Twenty20 and subsequently banned from bowling in the final for Kolkata Knight Riders.
Narine opted out of the West Indies World Cup squad earlier this year to focus on his rehabilitation and was forced to undergo Indian Cricket Board-sanctioned testing on his action before he could turn out for KKR in the 2015 season.
West Indies will also have to do without all-rounder Dwayne Bravo and opener Lendl Simmons in the Test format, with players indicating their unwillingness to return because of the pay structure of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.
“I have had good discussions speaking with all the players. Yes, Bravo and Lendl said they don’t want to play Tests for reasons (CBA pay structure) you mentioned, but I’m happy that they were honest about that,” Simmons said.
“My position is if you don’t want to play Test cricket for whatever reasons, we won’t select you. But if players openly state they are available for that format, I don’t really want them changing their minds when we select them.”
Both Bravo and Lendl Simmons announced their retirement from Tests earlier this year.
Coach Simmons, meanwhile, confirmed that opener Chris Gayle would be available for all formats once he recovered from back surgery.
West Indies travel to Sri Lanka for a Test and One-Day series next month.