West Indies vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Middle-order batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan has been confirmed as Chris Gayle’s deputy for the Digicel Test series against Sri Lanka.

 

The West Indies Cricket Board made the announcement on Friday ahead of the first Test, which bowls off on Saturday at the National Stadium at Providence here.

 

“It’s good to be back in the team and I’m looking to make a contribution,” the 27-year old Sarwan said.

 

“We will be looking to play together as a team in the upcoming series and give full support to captain Chris Gayle.”

 

Sarwan, who has played 67 Tests, is returning to the side after being sidelined from international cricket since last September. He sustained an ankle injury playing in the KFC Cup regional one-day competition and missed the tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa.

 

In his absence, Gayle was widely praised for his leadership skills and was credited with motivating the West Indies to beat South Africa in the opening Test of the three-match series at Port Elizabeth.

 

The elegant right-hander had been appointed captain for the West Indies tour of England last summer but was forced out of the series after also picking up a nasty shoulder injury.

 

CMC kp/08