GEORGETOWN – Ramnaresh Sarwan says he was not surprised at being overlooked for a central retainer contract but says the firestorm created by the West Indies Cricket Board’s move would not distract him from leading Guyana at the Champions League Twenty20 in South Africa starting next week.
The former West Indies captain was dumped from the list of 14 offered contracts by the WICB, due to what the board called “unsatisfactory” levels of general fitness.
He was one of six players, along with Denesh Ramdin, Jerome Taylor, Narsingh Deonarine, Dave Bernard and Travis Dowlin, who were snubbed.
“To be honest I was not surprised . . . I knew for about three weeks now, and even before that. I was reading between the lines. My focus is on ensuring our team represents Guyana and the entire region in the best possible way in South Africa,” Sarwan said on Wednesday.
“We (Guyana) have a job to do in South Africa and me not getting a contract is not a distraction. They (WICB) made their decision and they must have their reasons.
“I continue to be fully committed to representing the West Indies and at this point I am fitter than I was a year ago.”
Sarwan averaged 41 from 83 Tests but has not played a Test since last December because of injury. He returned to play two of the five One-Day Internationals against South Africa in May before falling prey to injury again.
“Yeah, I am disappointed that it seems I am most times singled out for special attention by the board. But I am a professional and I love what I do so I will continue to play to my best for as long as I continue to enjoy playing cricket,” he said.
“Nobody wants to get injured and miss out on doing the thing you love. At times I get the impression that some people believe that I deliberately get injured, and that could be more frustrating than the injury.” (CMC)
