West Indies off-spinner Sunil Narine says he is still interested in representing the regional team, but does not feel he is ready for a return to international cricket.
In clearing the air on why he declined a spot on the West Indies squad for next month’s ICC World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe, the Trinidadian said it was due to a lack of cricket at a higher level, against the background that he did not play any One-Day Internationals last year.
Cricket West Indies said last month Narine, along with Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo and Andre Russell, had been invited to join the the squad but had “indicated that they were unavailable to help us qualify as their priority was playing in the Pakistan Super League”.
“It’s nothing like that. I just don’t want to rush back into international cricket and the 50-over game. I think I need to play some 50-overs cricket at the regional level and get accustomed again,” Narine told the Massy United Insurances Line & Length TV show.
“I don’t want to rush back into it [international cricket] and make a mess of myself. I think it’s about my self-performance, self-belief and trying to go out there and perform for Trinidad and Tobago; and once I can do that, I will be available for West Indies again.
“I think playing for the West Indies is the ultimate goal. I think you must try and enjoy your cricket and enjoy it, no matter what. So, I will see how these games go in the Super50 and if I am comfortable and enjoying it, why not, I will play for West Indies again.”
The 29-old has put down an impressive showing for Trinidad and Tobago Red Force at the start of the Super50, grabbing ten wickets in three matches, including a haul of five for ten against Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners. His wickets have come at just 6.30 apiece with an economy rate of 2.27.
Narine has played 65 One-Day Internationals for the West Indies and taken 92 wickets, but last suited up for the Windies in October, 2016 in a limited-overs series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.
Only months earlier, he had been cleared by the International Cricket Council to resume bowling, after being slapped with a ban for an illegal bowling action in 2015.
Injuries and personal reasons kept him from any One-Day appearances in 2017, despite being selected.
West Indies will do battle in the March 4-25 qualifiers for one of the remaining two spots at the World Cup, and the 29-year-old Narine believes the Caribbean side will seal their qualification for the 2019 showpiece in England.
“I think they can [qualify]. They have a good team,” Narine said. “They just need to enjoy the cricket, be positive and once they are enjoying it, they can play as well as they want to.”
West Indies will play in Group A of the qualifiers against Ireland, the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea and the winners of the ICC World Cricket League Division 2. (CMC)
