ST JOHN’S – West Indies selectors have recalled experienced batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan for the upcoming limited overs cricket tour of Australia, ending the stylish right-hander’s exile.
The 32-year-old has not played for West Indies in nearly 19 months owing to poor form and fitness, and a strained relationship with the regional authorities, but joins the 15-man squad that leaves Barbados on January 23.
The touring party also includes young uncapped Barbadian seamer Jason Holder who toured Bangladesh but failed to make his debut then.
The tour runs from January 29 to February 13 and comprises five One-Day Internationals and a single Twenty20.
Sarwan has played 173 One-Day Internationals scoring 5 644 runs at an average of 43.41, but has not played since June 2011.
“I’m happy to be back in the team. Obviously I’ve been out for a while, but it feels really good to be back representing the West Indies. I am really looking forward to this tour and I’m confident things will go well for us in Australia,” he said.
“As a team, we like the ball when it comes onto the bat so we should enjoy the conditions in Australia. I have played there a few times and we have other experienced members of the team who have played there as well.
“The team has been playing some good cricket recently so I will just fit in. I am an experienced player at the international level and will look to play my part and make a contribution in any way I’m called upon.”
Sarwan’s recall will add precious experience to the West Indies top order which will be missing injured stroke-maker Marlon Samuels.
Guyanese left-handed batsman and off-spinner Narsingh Deonarine, 29, has been recalled after scoring an unbeaten run-a-ball 53 in the last of his 20 ODIs against South Africa in June 2010.
Devon Thomas has again been chosen ahead of Test wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin while Johnson Charles gets the nod over the more experienced Lendl Simmons and Dwayne Smith.
The West Indies will open the tour with a fixture against a Ricky Ponting-led Prime Minister’s XI on January 29 in Canberra before heading to Perth for the first two ODIs. (CMC/EZS)
The squad
Darren Sammy (captain), Dwayne Bravo (vice captain), Darren Bravo, Johnson Charles, Narsingh Deonarine, Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Devon Thomas, Tino Best Jason Holder, Sunil Narine.
MANAGEMENT: Ottis Gibson (Head Coach), Richie Richardson (Team Manager), Toby Radford (Assistant Coach), C.J. Clark (Physiotherapist), Hector Martinez Charles (Strength & Conditioning Coach), Richard Berridge (Video & Statistical Analyst), Philip Spooner (Media Manager), Courtney Browne (Selector).
TOUR SCHEDULE
Tuesday, January 29: vs Prime Minister’s XI – Manuka Oval, Canberra
Friday, February 1: 1st ODI – WACA Ground, Perth
Sunday, February 3: 2nd ODI – WACA Ground, Perth
Wednesday, February 6: 3rd ODI – Manuka Oval, Canberra
Friday, February 8: 4th ODI – SCG, Sydney
Sunday, February 10: 5th ODI
– MCG, Melbourne
Wednesday, February 13: T20I – Gabba, Brisbane
