Sarwan: 'I'm pretty pleased'

Ramnaresh Sarwan cuts on his way to a career-best 261 © AFP

Ramnaresh Sarwan's unbeaten 261 against Bangladesh at Sabina Park was his first double-hundred in first-class cricket and was the highest score by a Guyanese in Tests, surpassing Rohan Kanhai's 256 against India in Calcutta in 1958-59.

"It's unbelievable. I'm pretty happy to get it out of the way," Sarwan told The Nation at the end of his nine-and-a-half hour innings. "I played a game this year and made 199. When I got into the 190s, I was a bit nervous, but it was a totally different situation here. It's my first double, but I don't think it's as good as the century I made against Australia last year."

He explained to the newspaper that he had been offered the chance to go on and try to reach 300. "I was told that if I wanted to get to a triple century, maybe I would have eight more overs or so. But I think that due to the situation of the game - you never know what can happen with the weather. I think the team comes first. I'm not disappointed. I'm a team person."

Told that he had eclipsed Kanhai, Sarwan was clearly delighted. "I was pleased to be up there with a great player like him. I don't think you can actually find words to describe it. I'm pretty pleased. It's something that I will cherish for the rest of my life."