Windies board asks Sarwan to improve his fitness

After denying him a central contract, the West Indies Cricket Board has asked Ramnaresh Sarwan to get back in shape if he wants to make his way back into the list of top Windies players.

WICB say denying Ramnaresh Sarwan a central contract is a step to send out strong signal to players that they cannot take their fitness and form for granted.  © AFP

The middle order batsman, along with fast bowler Jerome Taylor and wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin, was the notable exclusion from the list of 15 contracted players.

"The team management, the selection committee and the West Indies Cricket Board are concerned about Mr. Sarwan's extremely indifferent attitude and sporadic approach towards fitness, particularly in recent years," said a statement released by the board.

Injuries have kept the 30-year-old Sarwan, who has a Test average of 41.73, out of Test action throughout 2010.

"Ramnaresh's less than satisfactory and fluctuating fitness levels have directly contributed to multiple injuries, thereby causing him to be unavailable for selection to the West Indies team," the statement added.

Chief selector Clyde Butts said that the absence of a contract did not have a direct impact on team selection.

"He is a world-class batsman and our view is that had he been in better shape over the years he would have had even more runs," Butts said.

though an internationally acclaimed player like Sarwan might not be affected financially by losing the modest contract, the step taken by the board is to send out a signal of professionalism.

"The message is that it is not business as usual. The board has taken a stand where we want to see the players improve in their standards including their fitness," Butts said.