Dowlin replaces injured Sarwan in Super 50 squad

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, (CMC) – Injury-plagued West Indies batting star Ramnaresh Sarwan has been ruled out of this month’s Regional Super 50 Championship after failing to recover in time from a back problem. The 31-year-old was named in Guyana’s 14-man squad pending the results of a fitness test scheduled for Friday, and played in a practice match on Thursday scoring 68 in a confident looking 78-ball innings.
However, the right-hander reported discomfort while fielding and opted out of the fitness test after advice from West Indies team physio CJ Clark and the Guyana team trainers.
“Sarwan explained that while there was minor discomfort while he was batting in the practice match on Thursday, he was stroking the ball well and batting was not a problem,” Reon King, the Guyana Cricket Board’s cricket development officer, said.
“He, however, said he encountered difficulties while fielding and thought it wise not to attempt the fitness test after explaining his condition and how he felt to Clarke and the … team’s trainers.”
He was subsequently withdrawn from the squad and replaced by former Test batsman Travis Dowlin.
“The GCB has no choice, at this time, other than to request a replacement to the squad, from the WICB,” the Guyana Cricket Board said in a brief media statement.
“The GCB’s national senior selectors have selected Mr. Travis Dowlin to replace Mr. Sarwan.”
The blow is yet another major setback for Sarwan who was also ruled out of the Bangladesh tour because of injury.
He is expected to continue remedial physiotherapy treatment under the guidance of Guyana team physio Beverly Nelson and Clarke.
Sarwan, who has played 173 ODIs since his first 11 years ago, remains one of the region’s top batsmen and averages over 40 in both Test and one-day cricket.
His 462 runs and three centuries when Guyana last won the Regional 50-overs title in 2005 remain limited overs records.
Sarwan’s career has been plagued by injury and it was behind the West Indies Cricket Board’s decision last year not to offer him a retainer contract.
The Super 50 Championship runs from October 19-30 here.

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