Cricket: Sarwan return blow to Windies

Ramnaresh Sarwan is hit by a Shane Bond ball in the first test. Picture / Reuters

The West Indies' already fragile second test prospects took a nosedive yesterday with confirmation that vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan is to return home injured.

The established right-hander was hampered by a thigh problem during the latter stages of the one-day series and aggravated the condition during the opening test at Eden Park, leaving him unable to continue.

The setback is the last thing the West Indies need after not only squandering the first test by 27 runs, but also losing paceman Jerome Taylor with a hamstring strain that could quite possibly rule him out for the rest of the series.

A spokesman for the West Indian team said no replacement would be sought for Sarwan, as the squad already had adequate cover in the shape of solid right-hander Runako Morton, and the aggressive left-hander Devon Smith.

However, it would be a surprise if the tourists did not soon send out an SOS for another pace bowler, to provide cover and back-up for their attack at Napier, where the series heads after the end of the second test.

The suggestion is that the selectors might consider flying in Barbados fast bowler Tino Best, recovering left-armer Pedro Collins, or even established veteran Merv Dillon.

Whatever happens on that front, the bigger loss will be the absence of Sarwan, who scored two half-centuries in the one-day series and 62 in the first innings of the Auckland test, before being felled by a Shane Bond bouncer in the second.