Sarwan Scores Gloucestershire Contract

Sat, Jul 9, '05

West Indies middle order batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan is on the verge of joining Gloucestershire for the Frizzell County Championship Division One season in England.

The 25-year-old right hander, who was dropped from the West Indies side after refusing to sign the match/tour contract for the Sri Lanka tour, is due to arrive in Bristol next week as the county's second overseas player.

Sarwan will replace Sri Lankan all-rounder Upul Chandana, who is leaving for national duty in the home series against the second-string West Indians.

According to reports out of England, Sarwan will make his debut for the struggling Gloucestershire side as soon as he receives clearance from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

Sources tell CaribbeanCricket.com that WICB clearance is not needed since Sarwan is not currently contracted to the board in any capacity. "It is more out of courtesy that he (Sarwan) has notified the WICB," the source explained.

Gloucestershire chief executive Tom Richardson does not anticipate any problems in completing the signing. "Sarwan is available for the rest of the summer and has agreed in principle to play for us," he said.

Sarwan averages 40.87 in 55 Tests for the regional side. In 133 first class matches since making his debut as a teenager, Sarwan has scored 7,816 runs, with 17 centuries.

At Gloucestershire, Sarwan will play alongside two players with West Indian roots. Carl Greenidge, son of former West Indies opener and current selector Gordon Greenidge, is a key part of the county's bowling attack while Mark Alleyne, the Barbados-born all-rounder is player/coach.

West Indies bowling great Courtney Walsh also had a long and distinguished career for Gloucestershire.