GCB takes issue with WICB over retainer contracts

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC):

A high-ranking official of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), and its chief selector, have condemned the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) for its timing and failure to award national captain Ramnaresh Sarwan a central retainer contract.

GCB vice-president Bissoon Singh and chairman of selectors Claude Raphael felt the announcement of the retainer contract list was ill-timed and could psychologically affect Sarwan, as he and the national team prepare for the Champions League Twenty20 in South Africa later this month.

"Sarwan, Dowlin and Deonarine have not gotten their contracts renewed and we feel that this was not the best time to let them know this, since they are focusing on playing hard cricket in South Africa to do Guyana and West Indies proud," said Singh.

"It's absolutely ridiculous that the WICB is saying that Sarwan's non-contract should serve as a motivator.

"Any right-thinking person will say it is ludicrous that the reason for his exclusion is for fitness, when he is fitter now than when he got the contract last year. Anyone who saw him recently would know that he is fit."

Raphael described the WICB decision to snub Sarwan, in particular, as a national insult.

"How can you not give a player a contract because you expect him to get injured?" asked Raphael.

"The WICB should produce the type of atmosphere to help develop the players; and the fact that (it) does not accept the responsibility to put in place a proper rehabilitation programme, but instead penalise the players if they get injured, says a lot."

Official enquiry

Singh and Raphael noted that they hope the full GCB insist on making an official enquiry to the WICB about the non-selection of Sarwan, since nobody can deny his value to West Indies cricket.

They also took issue with the inclusion of other players who also missed matches due to injury, but were given contracts.

The two officials also highlighted that players like Devon Smith, Andre Flecther and Kieron Pollard have inferior records to Sarwan, but they were given contracts.

The 30-year-old Sarwan is expected to play a crucial role as captain and batsman for Guyana, when they begin their CLT20 campaign against the Royal Challengers Bangalore next Sunday, at SuperSport Park in Centurion.