Sarwan recalled by West Indies for World Cup

The 30-year-old Sarwan has a potent record in all forms of the game but was omitted from West Indies' tour of Sri Lanka last November over concerns about his fitness. He suffered from a back complaint and a hamstring injury last year.

Chairman of selectors Clyde Butts said the panel including Courtney Browne and Robert Haynes was happy that the Guyanese batsman, a veteran of two World Cups, had improved that side of his game. "We are satisfied that he is fit and he can play cricket now for us for a period of time without being injured," Butts said at a press conference yesterday.

"Of course, one has to take everything into consideration that injuries do happen sometimes. "I went to see him train personally as well and I've got a report from the trainer that shows that he has been working and he's improved. His whole fitness has improved."

Sarwan was the only change to the 15 who were picked to play Sri Lanka in a one-day series last November, but which was postponed because of rain to this month. He replaced the uncapped Barbados batsman Kirk Edwards from that squad.

That means Jamaica fast bowler Andre Russell will make his one-day debut during the three-match series against Sri Lanka as a buildup to the World Cup starting on the subcontinent on February 19. Allrounder Darren Sammy, who took over the captaincy from Chris Gayle for the first time in the drawn Test series with Sri Lanka, kept the job.

Two left-armers -- Sulieman Benn and Nikita Miller -- lead the spin department which is expected to be crucial on the spin-friendly pitches of India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Carlton Baugh was chosen as wicketkeeper ahead of Denesh Ramdin. Baugh played his first Test in five years in Sri Lanka in the drawn series, and hasn't played a one-dayer since 2008.

West Indies will play Sri Lanka on January 31, February 4 and 6. Its World Cup opener is against South Africa on February 24. West Indies: Darren Sammy (captain), Adrian Barath, Carlton Baugh, Sulieman Benn, Darren Bravo, Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Chris Gayle, Nikita Miller, Kieron Pollard, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Devon Smith.