McGrath and Sarwan 'best friends'

Ramnaresh Sarwan and Glenn McGrath were once at each other's throats, but now they are the best of friends. Sarwan, the West Indies vice-captain, and McGrath went toe-to-toe in an ugly shouting match in Antigua in May 2003.

McGrath, Test cricket's third-highest wicket-taker, was rebuked by Cricket Australia for his actions following an outraged reaction from the Australian cricket community. The incident was sparked after Sarwan, on his way to a match-winning second-innings century, reportedly reacted to lurid taunts from McGrath by telling him he should get the answers from his wife, who was recovering from radiation therapy for secondary cancer.

But more than two years on and Sarwan said the incident was in the past and they had patched up their differences after the match. "That's behind us now," Sarwan said ahead of the tourists' opening tour match against Queensland, starting on Thursday. "We spent some time in Antigua and we're the best of friends. I thought what happened in Antigua was unfortunate and it's not going to happen again."

The opening Test, beginning at the Gabba on November 3, will be the first time the teams have met over five days since the match at St John's, which the West Indies won by three wickets. Sarwan is treating an injured shoulder and upper back, but said he would play against a full-strength Queensland.

At 25, Sarwan is seen as the man to replace Brian Lara as their top batsman. Sarwan, the No. 3, averages 40.87 with eight centuries in 55 Tests but is intent on lifting his game. "Bennett [King, the coach] wants me to take up that role and I've been trying my best to do that," he said. "Obviously Brian is 36 and we don't know how long he is going to go on for. We have to try and make the best of use of him [until then]. But it is going to be a challenge and I'm looking forward to that challenge."