Embattled Narine aiming to be ready for T20 World Cup

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Under-fire West Indies off-spinner Sunil Narine says he is targeting the Twenty20 World Cup in March for a return to international cricket.


The 27-year-old was banned from bowling in international cricket last November after the sport’s governing body, the ICC, ruled his action to be illegal, and has not played any competitive cricket since.

Speaking during the ongoing Regional Super50 semi-final here yesterday, Narine said he was hoping to undergo testing on his action shortly so he could be cleared in time for the March 8 to April 3 event in India.

“Hopefully I can do the next test, hopefully before the World Cup so I’ll be able to make myself available for selection,” Narine said during a television interview.

“But hopefully, over this once again and hopefully it is the final hurdle so that I can continue playing cricket and frequently as possible and start back the way I stopped.”

Narine was reported following the third One-Day International against Sri Lanka in Pallekelle last November and subsequent tests at Loughborough revealed his action to be exceeding the required 15 degrees level of tolerance.

The Trinidadian said he had been undergoing rehabilitation and was hoping to gauge his progress by playing for his club Queen’s Park in the domestic tournament starting January 30.

“It’s something no bowler would like to happen but at the end of the day, officials make rules and you just have to go along with it,” Narine said of his ban.

“I think I would have loved to play to see how things are coming along but saying that, hopefully I’ll get the chance to represent Queens Park in a couple games and see how it goes from there.”

Though banned internationally, Narine can play in Caribbean tournaments. However, he was denied the chance to play in the Super50 after the West Indies Cricket Board rejected a request from the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board for him to represent the Red Force.

Narine is one of the most sought after players in the burgeoning global Twenty20 circuit, and has played extensively in the star-studded Indian Premier League.

He is one of several West Indies stars who have chosen to ply their trade in the various leagues around the globe and believes this approach will be better for players.

“As much cricket you can play is better for you,” He contended.

“The more you’re on the field and playing cricket, you get accustomed [to playing] and you don’t get accustomed to relaxing. The more cricket you play is better for you in the long run.”