Sarwan refutes fitness excuse by GCB selectors

– says he is medically fit to play

Former West Indies Captain Ramnaresh Sarwan has responded to claims by the chairman of selectors of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Rayon Griffith, that he was unaware of the status of Sarwan’s injury resulting in his panel leaving him out of the Guyana team for next month’s Caribbean Cup T20 cricket competition.

“I was made to understand via a media release by the GCB, dated December 6, 2011, that my non-selection for the upcoming T20 tournament was based on my injury that I have had over the past four months and they (selectors) are not sure about my injury status.

“First of all, I would like to make it crystal clear that I have recovered from my injury and I am working on my match fitness. In regards to the board being unsure about my recent injury, I say that is total crap!” Sarwan said on Tuesday from Canada.

“I had spoken to the president of the board and informed him about the status of my injury. I had also spoken to the Chairman of Selectors, Mr Rayon Griffith, and so from that point of view they were well informed.

“I also mentioned to Mr Griffith that I was going to Canada for one week to sort out my personal business and I will arrive in Guyana on December 12, 2011,” the 31-year-old right-hander informed.

“I just want to refresh their memory. It was my word they took when I withdrew from the 50-over tournament. The (GCB) President said to me, via a phone conversation, that they couldn’t take my word on the update on my injury. Well, wonder whose word they took when I withdrew from the team. It was my word they took because I had my team at heart and I was being honest.”

“I also noticed in the release, [that] my non-selection had to do with my non-participation in the recently concluded T20 tournament in Guyana. Let me refresh your memories. When I was named in the 14 to represent Guyana in the 50-over tournament, I also did not play in the Inter-County competition which was used to pick that team,”

Sarwan said that he made a half-century during the only practice match he played and made every effort to play in the 50-over.

However, when he realised that his injury was still affecting his fielding he did not want to rob his team in any way, and therefore opted not to do the fitness test since, even if he was fit enough to bat, he would have struggled in the field and his country came first.

“I must also let you know how grateful I was to be given the best chance to represent Guyana in the 50-over competition, since playing for Guyana is always an honour for me.

“Everyone knew how hard I worked with the trainers and everybody in Guyana and how much I wanted to play in the 50-over competition.

“I am wondering why we couldn’t go through the same process? I would like to know why I wasn’t given the same opportunity I was given a few months ago? What has changed Mr Griffith and Mr Ali?” Sarwan, who led Guyana to both of their Regional T20 titles in 2006 and 2010, asked.

He has been told to make himself available for the First-Class tournament which starts on February 3, but preparing for the four-day tournament would mean going into action later this month and next month, which means that he could have also been playing in the T20 tournament.

“Seeing they couldn’t take my word for it, I got the experts who treated me to send an email to me, which I forwarded to the GCB, on the status of my injury. I think it’s important for them (GCB) to release that letter to the public so they can see the latest update on my injury.

“After being out for so long and finally getting the green light to start playing again, it is really disappointing to know it’s not my injury that’s keeping me out now, it’s more a case of people being vindictive against me. My career of drama continues,” the batsman who averages over 40 in Tests, ODI and First-Class cricket, concluded.