Sarwan getting "mixed signals" from selectors

Ramnaresh Sarwan, the West Indies batsman, has said he has been getting "mixed signals" from the selectors about why he was left out of the West Indies squad for the tour to Sri Lanka.

"One time it is my attitude, the next time is my fitness," Sarwan told Stabroek Sport. "I am getting mixed signals. I have been working on my fitness so I don't know what they [selectors] are using, and I have always been committed to West Indies and Guyana's cricket."

The WICB did not offer Sarwan a central contract last month, ostensibly on fitness grounds, and he was not picked as part of the touring side for the same reason. West Indies coach Otis Gibson called it a tough decision, but one that needed to be made.

Sarwan, who averages over 40 in both Tests and ODIs, said getting injured is a natural hazard of any sporting career. He was disappointed not to be part of the tour, but not surprised. "My goal at this time is to commit myself to cricket in Guyana. There is the four-day competition and other competitions in Guyana and I will be meeting with members of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) to discuss strategies on the way forward for cricket in Guyana."

On the subject of Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo turning down their central contracts, Sarwan said the two are mature enough to make their own decisions, and that "it is their right to sign or not sign." He believes the new West Indies captain, Darren Sammy, is a good leader and wished him success on the Sri Lankan tour.

Sarwan captained Guyana in the WICB regional one-day tournament, averaging 21.33 with one half-century, in three games. Guyana were knocked out in the league stage, after winning just one of their games. He said he had no plans of retiring from international cricket and that "everything will fall back into its right place."