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GCB executives slam WICB on Sarwan’s contract issue

Sep 05, 2010 Sports

By Sean Devers
The Vice President of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Bissoon Singh and its Chairman of selectors Claude Raphael have joined the list of those condemning the decision by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) not to renew Ramnaresh Sarwan’s central contract.
The GCB executives feel the timing of announcing the decision on the contracts is very bad since it could psychologically affect the three Guyanese players who are preparing for the Champions League T/20 in South Africa.
“Sarwan, (Travis) Dowlin and Deonarine have not gotten their contracts renewed and we feel that this was not the best time to let them know that since they are focusing on playing hard cricket in South Africa to do Guyana and the West Indies proud,” Singh said.
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,” Singh contended.
Raphael, who was among those who picked the team that won the Caribbean T/20 Championships, agrees with Singh that the bad news could demoralize the players and affect Guyana’s chances in South Africa.
“The WICB should produce the type of atmosphere to help develop the players and the fact that the WICB does not accept the responsibility to put in place a proper rehabilitation programme but instead penalize the players if they get injured says a lot,” Raphael said.
Raphael said he was not sure if Sarwan was given a fitness test just before the contract decision was made and he is of the opinion that this is just a smoke screen and a way of getting rid of Sarwan for non-cricketing reasons.
“Sarwan is now fit so are you saying that the WICB has not renewed his contract because they believe he will be injured before the year is up? It is common knowledge that Sarwan’s relationship with some Directors is not cordial and the WICB could now use this contract as a weapon if players oppose them,” Singh added.
He said, today is Sarwan, tomorrow could be anyone else from any other country and its time the media, the regional boards and the fans stand up and call for the WICB to be accountable for its actions against the players.  “This is a national insult for the WICB to tell us that because a player was injured and is now fit you will not get a contract. How can you not give a player a contract because you expect him to get injured?” Raphael questioned.
The GCB executives said they expect the GCB will take official issue with the non-selection of Sarwan since nobody can deny his value to West Indies cricket.
Players who also missed matches due to injury were given contracts while players like Devon Smith, Andre Fletcher and Keiron Pollard were given contracts ahead of Sarwan despite their inferior record for the West Indies.
The 30-year-old Sarwan, who averages above 40 in Tests, ODIs and First Class cricket, is expected to play a crucial role as leader and batsman for Guyana in South Africa as the South Americans begin their CLT20 campaign against the Royal Challengers Bangalore next Sunday from 11:30hrs Easter Caribbean time.

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