Sarwan eager to get back in national colours

West Indies batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan is keen to get back into the international fold, now that the impasse between the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the West Indies Players' Association (WIPA) seems to be coming to an end.

Sarwan, who along with several other prominent names like Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul had boycotted the Bangladesh series at home over pay and contractual disputes, and were overlooked for the subsequent ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa. While they were walloped in the Test and ODI series at home under Floyd Reifer's captaincy, a first-round exit followed in the Champions Trophy.

"For us to get an opportunity to go on the field again is really great," Sarwan told the Jamaica Gleaner. "We miss representing the region. It felt a little bit strange seeing the West Indies playing both against Bangladesh and in the Champions Trophy and I wasn't there. But we made a decision as a group and had to stand by that decision.

"We are very pleased to know that the WICB and WIPA have come to an agreement and are working at a final solution. We hope that things continue and there will be an amicable solution for everyone, so that what happened will never happen again."

Sarwan, 29, who took part in Chris Gayle's Pro 15/15 celebrity charity match at St Ann Bauxite Oval, teaming up with star athlete Usain Bolt, was also pleasantly surprised with the huge support despite the trying circumstances.

"It shows that they still love us and want to see us succeed, no matter what," Sarwan said. "To represent the West Indies and six million people around the Caribbean is always an honour and to come here and get the response we have been getting despite the circumstances is really a good feeling."

West Indies' next assignment is in Australia beginning late November, where they will play three Tests, five ODIs and two Twenty20 internationals.