Sarwan Out of Busta; Could Miss First Test

"I don't think I'll be fit enough to play any Busta games." Those words from Ramnaresh Sarwan will cause West Indies captain Carl Hooper and coach Roger Harper some worry on the morning of April 11 when they have to select the final XI for the first Test at Bourda against India.

In an exclusive interview with CaribbeanCricket.com, the West Indies middle order batsman said his physiotherapist does not want to risk him playing in the Busta Cup series as this could jeopardize his chances of being match ready for the first Test on his home ground.

If he is fit he should make the Test squad but his lack of match practice will make him doubtful to make the final eleven . Sarwan feels that if he does not play in the Busta series he may "be in the squad but not play."

The number three batsman, whose back injury forced him to miss the last series in Sharjah against Pakistan desperately hopes he could play in the semi-final and final of the regional competition to have a chance to prove to the selectors that he deserves to return to the Test team. His physiotherapist, Dr Paula Alexander, has however advised him to forget the Busta Cup and rest if he wants to be ready for the Test series.

Further, Sarwan said his recovery process is bothering him since he "feels good one day and then it would just act up."

"Last week I was feeling as if I could play and then this week I feel as if I won't be able to play for another two months," Sarwan said, trying to smile his frustration away.

With Brian Lara wishing on a star for his elbow to heal in time for him to tackle the Indians and now Sarwan being doubtful to get any match practice before they arrive it seems as though two of the most in-form West Indies batsmen would miss yet another Test match when they are so desperately needed to stabilize the shaky middle order.

This would mean that the batting line-up which faced the Pakistanis would be the same one to take the field at Bourda. It should give the two Hinds, Wavell and Ryan, another opportunity to make Sarwan's return to the team even more difficult. Guyanese fans would love for him to have an opportunity to score his first hundred on his home turf.

As it is right now this seems very unlikely.