COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (CMC) – Five months after being axed from the retainer contracts list and then being dropped by selectors, stylish batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan says he is happy to be back in West Indies colours again. The 30-year-old right-hander was not offered a contract by the West Indies Cricket Board last September and was also overlooked for the Test and one-day tour of Sri Lanka in November, for what selectors said was the player’s “extremely indifferent attitude and sporadic approach towards fitness”.
He was picked in the Windies World Cup squad earlier this month, however, and said he was looking forward to gelling again with the team.
“It feels really great to be back. We had a really good workout today (Saturday) and so far I am just happy to fit into the team again,” said the right-hander, who averages above 40 in both Tests and One-Day Internationals.
“We have a very good team vibe going and it is very important that we maintain that and build on that. It is also important that we get off to a good start in this series and try to get that early momentum.”
Sarwan was speaking following a full training session at the Sinhalese Sports Club here where West Indies are gearing up for their three-match one-day series against Sri Lanka which starts Monday.
The Guyanese batsman, who has led the side before, will be expected to play a key role with 5 098 runs from 156 ODIs behind his name.
“The pitch at the SSC is normally a good one for batting. I have done well here before,” he pointed out.
“I am just hoping to maintain the same level of success I have had before, make a major contribution to the team, and try to bat us into winning positions.”
The Windies will use the three matches to finalise their preparation for the Cricket World Cup which runs from February 19 to April 2 in Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh.
Following the series, they will play two official warm-up matches in the city here against Kenya and Sri Lanka respectively, before travelling to Delhi, India for their opening game of the World Cup against South Africa on February 24.
Sarwan, who has played in two previous World Cups and averages 58 from 14 matches, said the Caribbean side needed to play solid cricket if they were to stand a chance in the competition.
“The greatest dream is to win the Cricket World Cup for all the people of the Caribbean and all those around the world who support us,” he contended.
“We have to give Darren (Sammy) our full support. Obviously, he is still a bit new to the job as captain so it is important that he gets our full backing. We need to be consistent as a team and that would give us a really good chance of winning.”