By Gary Smith
Caribbean Net News Sports Correspondent
Email: gary@caribbeannetnews.com
ST JOHN’S, Antigua: Newly appointed West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan is optimistic that the current regional side can still perform at a higher standard than predicted by pundits, even without the services of world record holder Brian Lara, who retired from international cricket last month.
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| West Indies Captain Ramnaresh Sarwan. Photo: Digicel/Getty Images |
The 26-year-old Guyanese right-handed batsman will lead the West Indies in their upcoming tour of England starting this month and, though admitting that Lara will be missed, Sarwan is confident there is still life in the team.
“Brian was a tremendous player for us and for the world, but this is an opportunity for us to show our skills, and what we are made of,” Sarwan said.
The new skipper, who was making his first public speech since his appointment as captain, also said that team must now pull together as a unit, citing that there is no room for a man show.
“It cannot be a one-man show,” he said. “We know what is ahead of us, and it is very important that we pull together as a team and support each other.
“We know that it will be tough, but if we get the full support of the team, the management staff, and the administrators, I think it will make the job a whole lot easier, so I am looking forward to that support to take West Indies cricket forward.”
Sarwan, an experienced player of 64 Tests, at an average of 44.83, admitted that in the past he had sometimes given his wicket away with attempted loose shots, but feels he will be a more responsible player in future.
He believes he has been given a great opportunity to captain the West Indies team and is looking forward to make the best of the illustrious position.
“Obviously, I have gotten out in the past playing rash strokes, but I think this maybe a blessing in disguise,” he said.
“The captaincy will mean I have to show more responsibility which is something I probably needed, so it is something I am looking forward to. It’s an opportunity, and I am going to try and make the best use of it.”
The West Indies, under the guidance of newly appointed coach David Moore, who replaced Bennett King, after the Australian resigned following the World Cup, depart next Tuesday and are scheduled to play four Tests and three One Day Internationals.
The team, which opens the tour against Somerset in a three-day match at the County Ground in Taunton, will also play two Twenty20s.
Meanwhile, the West Indies selectors named a relatively strong 15-man team for the tour, but there were no openings for Jamaican middle-order batsman Marlson Samuels or for a specialist spinner.
The squad, however, retains most of the senior players who were part of the Caribbean side's disappointing outing in the Super-eight of World Cup, played in their own backyard. |
