WI coach says Sarwan being saved for major series

West Indies coach Ottis Gibson says key batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan has been given more time to rest to allow him to get 100 per cent ready for major international assignments later this year.



The experienced 29-year-old right-hander was overlooked for the final three One-Day Internationals of the current Zimbabwe series despite returning to first class cricket following a two-month injury layoff.



Gibson says Sarwan is crucial to the team setup and he wants the player fully fit for crucial campaigns in the ICC 20/20 World Championship and against South Africa for three Tests and five One-Day Internationals later this year.



Sarwan’s omission raised several eyebrows especially after he stroked a century for Guyana on return to first class action last week, a knock that signalled a return to some level of fitness.



When he was overlooked for the first two One-Day Internationals in Guyana last week, chairman of West Indies selectors, Clyde Butts said the aim was to protect the injury-prone Sarwan.



However yesterday, Butts said he was unable to mention anything about Sarwan’s non-selection for the remainder of the series.



Selectors have made two changes to the squad, including the fit-again all-rounder Dwayne Bravo and his younger brother Darren Bravo at the expense of Dwayne Smith and Andre Fletcher.



The last three ODIs will be played at the Arnos Vale Stadium in St Vincent, starting tomorrow and continuing on Friday and Sunday.



The five-match series is locked at 1-1.