‘Tough enough’ Sarwan ready for first CWI selection job

Former Guyana and West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan is ready, along with the Selection Panel, to select the West Indies team ahead of the India white-ball tour which is slated to begin on February 6 in Ahmedabad.
Sarwan will be working along with new Lead Selector Dr Desmond Haynes. In recent months, a selector’s job has been one receiving lots of backlash from the general public, especially when the team fails.
Asked if he is tough enough for the job of being a selector, Sarwan said: “I have played international cricket for a very long time. I have had situations where I had my own struggles on the field, in terms of not scoring runs: I was booed in Guyana by 15,000 people; so, I don’t think it will come worse than that.”
Now 41 years old, Sarwan, the scorer of 15 Test centuries and five ODI centuries, who averaged more than 40 in both formats, has said his objective is to contribute to West Indies cricket and make a difference.
“Nevertheless, the objective is to try and contribute to West Indies cricket, and try and make a difference. And once I do that wholeheartedly and fair, I think that is the most important thing. Of course, the players will have to be able to perform as well, but, from my perspective, it is important that I give it my best shot as well. Once I do that wholeheartedly, that is the most I can ask for myself,” Sarwan said on a recent Sean Devers Sports Watch.
In a recent Cricket West Indies (CWI) release, Sarwan expressed gratitude to the regional board. “I want to thank CWI and everyone involved for giving me this opportunity to again serve West Indies cricket, as a member of the selection panels. I’m passionate about the game of cricket, and especially West Indies cricket, and once asked to contribute, I did not hesitate. I look forward to working with my colleagues, the Most Hon. Dr Desmond Haynes and Mr Robert Haynes, and the two Head Coaches, as well as everyone else involved in the development of this sport we love and respect so much.”
With Sarwan heading to CWI Selection Panel, another individual would now lead the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Selection Panel. An official announcement was not made, but Ravindranauth Seeram may take over the job at the GCB. (Brandon Corlette)