Newly appointed West Indies vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan, is likely to miss the first Test starting next Thursday at the world-famous Bourda Ground.
Sarwan revealed that he visited his doctor, yesterday, and he [Dr Joseph] will be sending a report to the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) who will in turn send that information to the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) today informing them whether or not Sarwan will be able to play in the first Test.
He was non-committal about whether or not he will play in the first Test, when Stabroek Sport caught up with him at the GCC, fiercely contesting a game of squash.
Sarwan sustained an injury to his middle left finger over three weeks ago, and which is still in a splint.
According to him, it will be foolish to try and rush into playing the game at the highest level without his injured finger being completely healed.
The vice-captain said that he will be guided by what his doctor recommends to the GCB and WICB.
Sarwan said that if he is declared unfit he will obviously be disappointed since he would have been playing in front of his home fans and further, he would have been playing as vice-captain for the first time at home.
He revealed that he was very pleased to be selected as vice-captain and said that it was an honour to represent the West Indies in that position.
Sarwan added that he will try his best to make good use of this opportunity and he hopes it will not have too much of an impact on his game seeing that he has that added responsibility and hopes he can continue to play the way he has been playing.
The vice-captain was quizzed about his relationship with new West Indies captain Brian Lara and he said, “basically myself and Brian get along well, as a matter of fact, I get along well with everyone else in the team.” He added, “I will give him my co-operation and I am sure he will give me his [co-operation] too in addition to offering me advice and sharing his knowledge of the game.”
Sarwan was asked whether he was surprised at being selected vice-captain and said, “yes I was!” adding, “I was sleeping when Wes Hall [WICB President] called and my mom woke me and told me he was on the phone.” He continued, “I thought he was calling me to find out about my finger, in fact he did ask me about my finger, but then he said I was appointed vice captain for the home series against Australia and Sri Lanka and I was like, what!.” Sarwan added, “I was shocked, I was shocked!”
He said that Corey Collymore who is a close friend of his called him yesterday morning to congratulate him as well as some of his close friends.
The vice-captain said that his mom also congratulated him on being appointed but he has not had an opportunity to speak to his dad since he was in Berbice watching the Jamaica versus Guyana game at Albion but he is sure he will give him his best regards when he returns home.
He also said that the president of the GCB Chetram Singh called him and offered congratulations.
Sarwan said that if he does not play he does not know who the WICB will appoint in his absence, since according to him, it is their job to decide if that becomes necessary.
The vice-captain stated that it is hard to predict who will win this upcoming series.
He however said that the series will be very competitive since the West Indies are known to play well at home and he was sure team members were `pumped up’ for the series.
Sarwan was also asked about Bourda being able to host matches in World Cup 2007 in the Caribbean and said that it is important that Guyana host matches in 2007 since there will be other benefits to be derived as new facilities will be built and can be used after the event.
The vice-captain said that there is still time but that it was important that those in charge get things going right away.