Sunil Narine ill treated by West Indies cricket board says David Furlonge

West Indies spinner Sunil Narine’s West Indies career has been a journey to forget, unlike his IPL one. His career clearly highlights the loopholes in the West Indies Cricket Board and its incapability in managing the assets of the team.

Narine who emerged from the Indian Premier League as a mystery bowler has been neglected by the West Indies Cricket Board in the worst possible ways. Narine was a nightmare for any batsman and was impossible to predict in his prime. A bowler of that potential was not only sidelined but was also not supported by the country when he was fighting his battle for a suspect action. However, the right-handed bowler got some support from Trinidad and Tobago, a part of the West Indies board.

Legendary off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan encountered a similar situation in the 90’s where he was brought under scrutiny for his bowling action. Arjuna Ranatunga, who was then the captain of the Sri Lankan cricket team not only supported his team mate but got the Sri Lankan board to back Muralitharan.

Whereas, Narine, who had the capability of becoming one of the best in the world in the international scene too was brushed off by the West Indies board. Things became worse for the bowler when the board turned their face from taking stock of his career. It was his IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders who came to the bowler’s aid and appointed British expert Carl Crowe to correct his action.

What David Furlonge had to say:

Queen’s Park Cricket Club head coach David Furlonge, who has been the mentor of the 29-year-old from a young age of seven has made his frustration public. “When he needed a consultant to correct his action last year, Cricket West Indies didn’t do anything. The cost of consultation was 60,000 Trinidadian dollars and the T&T Cricket Board as well as the government came to help,” said the coach. Following the amendments in his action, Narine returned successfully after going through a test in Chennai.

Narine came back strong in IPL’s iconic 10^th edition which was concluded earlier this year. But this time it was not for his bowling but batting. Asked to open by captain Gautam Gambhir alongside Chris Lynn, Narine became a superstar up the order as he played memorable knocks hammering the ball all over the park. He also became the scorer of the fastest half century along with Yusuf Pathan of just 19 balls.

To coach Furlonge, it did not come as a surprise. “He used to open at junior level. It was only when he discovered spin bowling, almost accidentally, that he began losing focus on his batting.” Added Furlonge.

According to Furlonge Narine is the only unfortunate cricketer who did not get the backing of the West Indies cricket board. He said ““Kieron Pollard made a name for himself in four-day cricket. He scored runs and came into limelight through that only. However, Cricket West Indies have coined him as a cricketer fit only for limited overs format.”