Main cog in the Windies’ wheel of fortunes

Brightest Caribbean talent, Ramnaresh Sarwan is a typical West Indian batsman. Attractive to watch and very correct in his approach, tempera...

Brightest Caribbean talent, Ramnaresh Sarwan is a typical West Indian batsman. Attractive to watch and very correct in his approach, temperament has been the only question mark for this 22-year-old. One in the long line of Guyanese of Indian descent, his batting always suffers owing to constant comparison with the former West Indies and Guyanese great Rohan Kanhai. Another major problem has been his consistency and his constant failure to convert 50s into 100s— as soon as he enters the 90s he gets nervous and gives it all up.

Did you know?

• Became the youngest West Indies first-class cricketer, aged 15 years, 226 days, appearing for Guyana against Barbados in the 1994 Red Stripe Cup
• Was the tenth teenager to make his Test debut for the West Indies
• Just one look at him and English great Ted Dexter predicted: This lad would average 60!
• Was very nervous on his debut Test against Pakistan and overcame it after a session with West Indies psychologist Dr Rubi Webster and scored 84.

Now batting at No 3 Sarwan holds the key as he needs to maintain the momentum brought into play by Chris Gayle and Wavell Hinds. The recent twin tours of India and Bangladesh showed that he has bridged the mental block and is ready for the big stage. With Brian Lara to get into groove after his injury, it is imperative that the right-hander takes up the cudgels and proves a point in his first-World Cup. He has toured South Africa earlier for the under-19 World Cup and was successful. So it could just be the case of refreshing his memory.

HEAD TO HEAD

In the West Indies’ scheme of things, Ramnaresh Sarwan fits the bill more than anyone else. At No. 3, the Guyanese provides the solidity the team needs for the likes of Brian Lara and the rest to follow him to blast off the opponent’s bowing.

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SRI LANKA
Muthiah Muralitharan is an obvious threat. Couldn’t pick Murali when he toured Sri Lanka and had a torrid time against him. Hesitant starter that he is, Sarwan is better off starting against Vaas and Dilhara Fernando because, like most Caribbeans, Sarwan plays pace better.

NEW ZEALAND
The policeman in Shane Bond may stop him in his tracks. Others like Darryl Tuffey and Jacob Oram do not have the pace to do well on those true tracks. And even Chris Cairns’ bowling would be rusty as would be Daniel Vettori’s. So it’s only Bond who is a bother.

SOUTH AFRICA
Proteas present Sarwan with the real challenge. The all-round attack led by Shaun Pollock is qualified enough to harass him. Whether the aeging warhorse Allan Donald or the versatile Jacques Kallis, the hosts will be keep coming at him. Much imrpoved Makahya Ntini could well be the bowler to watch out.

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