Sarwan’s reminder and a timely question

Dear Editor,

Ramnaresh Sarwan, indeed, is giving the West Indies selectors a timely reminder of his Test credentials. He scored a second century for Leicestershire, in their championship match against Essex. The 31-year-old was the star of the show, as Leicestershire fought back after a nightmare start in their first innings. It was runs under duress. In fact, Leicestershire were 29 for 3 in over number 10, but Sarwan came to the fore. This is like the Sarwan of old.

Only a few weeks back, Sarwan explained that simply ‘playing and getting back into cricketing shape’ is his sole objective. Maybe, he knows what will play out. In the West Indies lineup, there are many names but hardly good numbers to suggest that Sarwan will be out for long. The talk is that Chris Gayle should be back and will need an opener.

So far, none of the rookies has really established any real claim. If that opener can be found, it would be great. Now for the middle – currently, it is Shivnarine Chanderpaul at five, so three, four, and six are still being juggled. If Darren Bravo takes three or four, then it is likely that Sarwan can fit back in three. I prefer it the other way – Bravo at three and Sarwan at four. Now for that number six – Narsingh Deonarine, Marlon Samuels, and Dwayne Bravo. This is a healthy pack. So, all is not lost where West Indies cricket is concerned. The trick is for the forces that be, to operate in a candid manner.

For the opening game against England, injuries proved a bit disconcerting. Well if the coach, Otis Gibson, had been consistent, the ‘fitness’ reason he used to warn Deonarine and axed Sarwan should have been used against some of those in the final first test eleven. This is what I mean by being candid. This is killing West Indies. I am serious.

I refer here to Devendra Bishoo, and I was shocked to know that no one rooted for him. In an interview recently, he camouflaged his feelings by declaring that he was ‘despondent’ but not ‘deflated’. Now, I want to know why the interviewer did not press Bishoo for a reason for his being excluded in the first place. I refer here to the five one dayers against Australia. Then this persisted in the two T20 games. Actual unknowns were called up. So as expected, with little play under his belt, Bishoo under-performed in the first test, and was dumped for the two tests of the series and now the ongoing tour in England.

Editor, I repeat, how come the spinner incumbent is left out? Bishoo must have his views on this and the interviewer did not field such a question. Again, things like these kill West Indies cricket. The truth must be known. Gayle paid a price for this, but it redounded in the benefit of Chanderpaul’s case, and hopefully Sarwan’s turn will come.

Yours truly,

Ramsawack Bullai