Sarwan

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

The awesome responsibility of reviving Caribbean cricket after embarrassing performances at the World Cup, rests on the shoulders of Ramnaresh Sarwan, the West Indies Cricket Board confirmed yesterday.

Sarwan's appointment as skipper was unanimously agreed on yesterday during a special board meeting in St. Peter, Barbados.

Sarwan, 26, a dependable Guyanese middle-order batsman who has played in 65 Tests and 124 one-day internationals, was recommended by the selection panel of Chairman Gordon Greenidge, Andy Roberts and Clyde Butts to take over from Brian Lara, who dramatically retired from interna-tional cricket on April 21.

Sarwan got the nod over Trinidad and Tobago captain Daren Ganga. Ganga, tapped by many commentators as having the credentials to lead the regional team, has been unable to cement his place as an opening batsman, a factor which would perhaps rob him of significant leadership capital among a tough squad with a history of indiscipline.

Sarwan is reported to be in Miami and is expected to join the selectors in Antigua - headquarters of the WICB - tomorrow to pick the squad for the May 12 to July 7 tour of England which includes four Tests, two Twenty20 internationals and three one-day internationals.

The squad is to leave the Caribbean on May 8.