ON Monday, Cricket West Indies (CWI), via a release to the media, announced that Ramnaresh Sarwan resigned as a Selector to the West Indies Men’s Senior and Youth Selection Panels after he was appointed in early January 2022.

The release to the media did not definitively state the reason(s) for Sarwan’s resignation but CWI vice-president, Dr Kishore Shallow, speaking Tuesday evening on a Barbadian radio programme, Mason and Guests, said he was “surprised” and outlined that new business ventures by the former West Indies captain has limited the time he has for performing the roles as a selector.

“Yes, somewhat”, Dr Shallow responded to whether he was shocked over the resignation. “Ronnie had committed to being a selector and I have spoken to him since and he expressed that it is just a matter of further obligations.

“As you know Ronnie is a successful businessman and there are a few positive things happening for him and the travelling between Guyana and Florida; and it was a case of him assessing things as to where he is right now, which is probably a bit too much for him right now.”

He added, “I really credit him for making the decision and communicating it to us in such a professional manner; absolutely no issue and he said to me and president Ricky Skerritt that he is absolutely committed to helping West Indies cricket in other ways.”

Sarwan’s appointment was confirmed during a meeting of the CWI Board of Directors on January 6, and he stepped down from his role as Chairman of the Guyana Cricket Board’s Senior Selection Panel to focus on this role and avoid any conflict of interest.

“At the time he accepted the position, he thought that he could manage but he just started a new venture and these are the things that are occupying his time, so that is life,” Dr Shallow stated in response to whether it was a mistake to appoint Sarwan knowing his business commitments.

The intention was for Sarwan to be a member of the Men’s Senior and Youth Selection Panels until June 30, 2024, a period that includes four ICC Global Events, two T20 World Cups (2022 & 2024), the Cricket World Cup (2023), and the World Test Championship Final (2023).

Robert Haynes, who is the current Lead Selector of the Men’s Youth Selection Panel and former interim Chairman of Selectors, will act as a replacement until a suitable full-time candidate is appointed.

Haynes will work on the Selection Panel alongside Senior Men’s Team Lead Selector the Most Hon. Dr Desmond Haynes and head coach Phil Simmons.

Dr Shallow indicated that the Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams, is handling the recruitment process in which there are potential options of recruitment with either a shortlist of candidates or applications.