Nagas Wants a Piece of New Zealand

Leg spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo has resumed training after being passed fit to do so by Trinidadian doctor Terry Alli and wants to be considered for upcoming Test series against New Zealand, according to a report in Guyana's Stabroek News.

In an exclusive interview with Sean Devers, the 26-year-old Nagamootoo announced he was back to full fitness and has resumed training after returning home from Trinidad, where he was recupering from an auto accident that ruled out of the Test and ODI series against India.

The regional wicket-taking record holder said the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has been informed that he is once again available for selection on the West Indies team for the New Zealand rubber. Nagamootoo said GCB boss promised to inform the WICB selection panel headed by new chairman Sir Viv Richards that he was available.

Nagamootoo, who had 18 stitches on his face and head and four more on his badly cut tongue, described the severity of the injuries sustained in the accident. "Boy talk about pain. I had stitches on my temple, over both eyes and my lip. I also suffered some bruised ribs from the accident. For five days I could only use liquids. It was really depressing," he told the newspaper.

"I don't know what happened, but I was told that the driver of the bus swerved to miss hitting a cow and lost control. "I am lucky to be alive. While I was on that hospital bed in Trinidad, I remembered how my brother Vishal had to miss the Busta Cup due to a mini-bus accident. That was scary and made me realize how important life is. Yet we sometimes take it for granted. I was really looking forward to bowling against the Indians after the way I bowled in the first test, but I guess I will get the chance some other time, hopefully later in the year the when West Indies tour India," said.

On his rehab programme, the budding all-rounder said doctors have recommended swimming to strengthen his lungs. "I am anxious to do some bowling but because of the rain, that is not possible. If I was still in Trinidad, I could have gone to the indoor nets and worked on my bowling, but here you have to wait until the grounds are dry to practice," he said.