Sarwan ready to step up to the challenge

Were it not for Brian Lara, this little Guyanese would have made all the headlines even though the West Indies lost another overseas tour in Sri Lanka.

Ramnaresh Sarwan, mature beyond his years yet still very young in the game, showed the cricket world exactly what he has to offer. It proved to be plenty.

Born on the little island of Wakenaam in Essequibo, Sarwan crossed the river on this tour, and the big stick that propelled him across was a consistent bat when others were falling like ninepins around him.

After a rough tour of Australia a year ago, the diminutive batsman has now secured his spot in the team's middle order. And he owes a lot to coach and countryman, Roger Harper.

He helped me a lot with my technique, and that's why I was able to show the improvement, Sarwan said of the former West Indies allrounder and vice captain.

I'm very pleased with my performances on the tour, even though I didn't score any hundreds and was in position to do so. Sarwan had 318 runs at an average of 53 in the three Tests.

Still, he reflects on his career so far, and realises he has a long way to go. He's been run out five times in his young career, and admitted Saturday it was on his mind.

I'm not worried about it, but I realise what's been happening and that I have to work on it.

I've come this far through discipline and self-belief, so I won't let it worry me, Sarwan told reporters as the team arrived from another disappointing tour.

I've got so close [to a maiden century], but I'm not counting. When I get into the 80s and get out, I'm really disappointed, much more than if I'm in the 40s or 50s and get run out, the Guyanese added.

He admitted he would have to look at the scenario seriously as the team prepares for a tour of Pakistan next month, since he didn't want the trend to continue.

I don't want to set the records for the most run outs without a century, he said with a smile.

Sarwan added that he was able to excel in the Test series, even though he wasn't always comfortable facing Sri Lanka's spin ace Muttiah Muralitharan and left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas, by constantly getting from Lara.

It's always an honour to be in the middle with Brian. He relaxes you, and even though the runs flow freely from his bat, he exchanges the strike and allows you to also get involved. He was a great help to me.

Sarwan said that captain Carl Hooper was always available for advice, and also helped him along the way.

He also helped me with my technique, and now I feel a lot more comfortable when I'm out in the middle.

Regarding the forthcoming overseas tour against Pakistan, Sarwan did express some doubt. It's pretty risky if we have to go there now, but I won't commit my mind to that now.

Sarwan claimed that facing Sri Lanka's ace spinner Muralitheran was the toughest aspect of the tour for him.

I have to admit that even though I scored against him sometimes, I was never very comfortable because he does a good job of swinging the ball both ways, he said. It turns so big from middle to off. It was a real experience for me, and showed me I have to work on a few things to improve against spin bowling.