Perth: Chairman of selectors Clive Lloyd said the West Indies are desperately missing the spin heroics of game-changer Sunil Narine to strengthen their campaign in the cricket World Cup underway in New Zealand and Australia.
Off-spinner Narine withdrew just before the squad left the Caribbean for the World Cup, claiming he was not fully confident in his revised bowling method after his action was reported as suspect in India last September, reports CMC.
The West Indies have lost two and won two with two more games to play in the group phase as they attempt to secure a spot in the quarter-finals.
“Sunil is one of the best one-day bowlers in the world and with him not here, he is sorely missed. Look at the scores we have been posting; 300 runs pretty consistently. If he was here, people won't be able to chase that down,” said Lloyd.
“We miss him. We miss his wicket-taking ability, his economy rate and the fact that he is a game-changer. All of these are reasons why we miss Sunil. But he is not here so we have to do without him.”
Narine has rehabilitated himself and preliminary tests showed he was bowling legally when he was picked by the West Indies for the World Cup. However, a West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) statement had said that he needed more time to be able to confidently bowl for a sustained period in international cricket with his new action.
“It is obvious they (officials) thought he was throwing but he has rectified that. He played for T&T and did quite well. His action has been passed so I don't see the issue anymore," said the former West Indies captain.
His withdrawal was a blow to the West Indies as he was ranked No.2 in the One-Day International (ODI) bowling rankings when he was suspended in September.
“I have tried to get through to his agent and was unsuccessful. But he has promised me that he wants to play Test cricket and one-dayers for the West Indies so I am hoping he will make himself available for the England series," said Lloyd.
The West Indies next take on India in a World Cup Pool B encounter at the WACA here on Friday.
