Sunil Narine has still not given up hope of a return to international cricket after missing out on a spot in West Indies’ World Cup squad due to injury.
Sunil Narine is currently playing for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League
Kolkata:
“I’ve missed international cricket and missed representing West Indies. It’s where my heart lies. But I don’t feel my finger is quite ready for ODI cricket. I can get through a T20 where I bowl just four overs. But even that isn’t easy and I need help from the physio. It’s holding me back from playing international cricket. I wouldn’t be able to do myself or the team justice.”
New CWI president Ricky Skerritt had announced a series of administrative changes earlier this month, including an overhaul of the selection panel, with Robert Haynes replacing Courtney Browne as interim head. As part of the old selection policy, availability for domestic tournaments was a requirement to be picked for West Indies squads. But Skerritt said selectors would be allowed to pick all players who make themselves available.
“I’m really happy the selectors considered me. It shows they have faith in me,” Narine added. “I haven’t played international cricket for so long and this shows how much they want me to come back. It was good to have some conversations with them and I feel we’re all on the same page going forward,” he concluded.
The 30-year-old, who last played a One-Day International in 2016, had come into consideration under the new selection policy of Cricket West Indies (CWI) but missed out due to a finger injury on his right hand. “I would have loved to play in the WC,” said Narine, who is currently featuring for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.
“I’ve missed international cricket and missed representing West Indies. It’s where my heart lies. But I don’t feel my finger is quite ready for ODI cricket. I can get through a T20 where I bowl just four overs. But even that isn’t easy and I need help from the physio. It’s holding me back from playing international cricket. I wouldn’t be able to do myself or the team justice.”
New CWI president Ricky Skerritt had announced a series of administrative changes earlier this month, including an overhaul of the selection panel, with Robert Haynes replacing Courtney Browne as interim head. As part of the old selection policy, availability for domestic tournaments was a requirement to be picked for West Indies squads. But Skerritt said selectors would be allowed to pick all players who make themselves available.
“I’m really happy the selectors considered me. It shows they have faith in me,” Narine added. “I haven’t played international cricket for so long and this shows how much they want me to come back. It was good to have some conversations with them and I feel we’re all on the same page going forward,” he concluded.