'I used to be the messiest player in the West Indies dressing room'
Ramnaresh Sarwan talks about scoring six fours in a Test over, struggling to find a helmet that fit, and lessons from watching Brian Lara
Interview by Jack Wilson
29-May-2014
"My first Test shirt is safely in the wardrobe" • Associated Press
When you started out as a kid playing cricket in Guyana, could you ever have imagined you would captain your country?
As a young player, it's always the ultimate honour to represent your country and perform for them. With the captaincy, as time goes by you gain experience and people look at you and assess your credentials. It was a great feeling for me when I was made captain. So many great players have captained the West Indies team through the years.
As a young player, it's always the ultimate honour to represent your country and perform for them. With the captaincy, as time goes by you gain experience and people look at you and assess your credentials. It was a great feeling for me when I was made captain. So many great players have captained the West Indies team through the years.
You have played 286 times for West Indies. Do you think you will ever add to that?
Quite frankly, with the players that are about now, I think it will be difficult. I'll just try to keep doing what I'm doing and scoring runs.
Quite frankly, with the players that are about now, I think it will be difficult. I'll just try to keep doing what I'm doing and scoring runs.
On June 23, 2006, you wrote yourself into the history books. Do you know why?
Was I the youngest player to get to 5000 runs?
Was I the youngest player to get to 5000 runs?
No, you hit six fours in an over against India off Munaf Patel.
Yes, I did! Although, I got a bit of luck. One of them I got an inside edge past the stumps and another went past Yuvraj Singh, who dived. It was all done pretty instinctively.
Yes, I did! Although, I got a bit of luck. One of them I got an inside edge past the stumps and another went past Yuvraj Singh, who dived. It was all done pretty instinctively.
You used to wear a bandana under your helmet but now you don't. Why?
Before I wore a bandana because the helmet was a bit too big for me. I could never find the right size to wear and the bandana supported me and made my head a bit bigger. When I found the right size I got rid of the bandana.
Before I wore a bandana because the helmet was a bit too big for me. I could never find the right size to wear and the bandana supported me and made my head a bit bigger. When I found the right size I got rid of the bandana.
What is the best innings you have ever played?
The 105 I made against Australia in 2003, when we chased 418 on the final day. The way I played made it the pick of my innings. It gave me confidence to kick on at that stage of my career.
The 105 I made against Australia in 2003, when we chased 418 on the final day. The way I played made it the pick of my innings. It gave me confidence to kick on at that stage of my career.
Where were you when you received your first Test call-up?
I'd just played a game in Guyana. They gave me a call on my landline to tell me I was in the squad.
I'd just played a game in Guyana. They gave me a call on my landline to tell me I was in the squad.
Where do you keep your first Test shirt?
Safely in the wardrobe.
Safely in the wardrobe.
Which of your team-mates past or present has the best arm?
Dwayne Smith.
Dwayne Smith.
Which one bowler did you hate facing in the nets?
Tino Best.
Tino Best.
Who was the messiest in the West Indies dressing room?
I've got to say myself. I have my stuff all over the place.
I've got to say myself. I have my stuff all over the place.
Who is the biggest joker?
Chris Gayle. Everything he does in the dressing room is funny. He is so laidback and he makes everyone laugh. The "Gangnam Style" stuff is a typical example.
Chris Gayle. Everything he does in the dressing room is funny. He is so laidback and he makes everyone laugh. The "Gangnam Style" stuff is a typical example.
We know the West Indies love a dance. Who has the best moves?
Dwayne Bravo.
Dwayne Bravo.
What is the biggest thing you learned from playing with Brian Lara?
Batsmanship. The way he goes about building an innings and the way he knows when to pick on bowlers.
Batsmanship. The way he goes about building an innings and the way he knows when to pick on bowlers.
What is the worst injury you have seen on a cricket field?
Rahul Dravid got hit by Merv Dillon once [back in 2002]. It struck him on the helmet, which was pretty nasty.
Rahul Dravid got hit by Merv Dillon once [back in 2002]. It struck him on the helmet, which was pretty nasty.
If someone came up to you and handed you a book, and you started reading it and realised it was a book about your entire life, would you read it until the end?
No way. There'd be too much stuff I wouldn't want to know!
No way. There'd be too much stuff I wouldn't want to know!
How does a night out in Guyana compare to a night out in Leicestershire?
It's very quiet in Leicestershire! The music is totally different. Back home in Guyana the music is better to dance to. There'd be a lot more dancing there.
It's very quiet in Leicestershire! The music is totally different. Back home in Guyana the music is better to dance to. There'd be a lot more dancing there.