Sunil Narine wasn't picked in Windies' World Cup squad due to finger injury

Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced Windies’ 15-man squad for the World Cup on Wednesday. Though the deadline was crossed, the board had already submitted the squad to the ICC and revealed it later. The likes of Evin Lewis and Andre Russell who hadn’t played for them for a long time made it to the line-up. However, the most important name missing was of Sunil Narine who is currently playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

Narine last played for the Windies in a T20I against England in September 2017. Rather his last ODI appearance dates back to October 2016. Despite that many were hopeful of his return in the maroon jersey for the mega event this year. But the finger injury has troubled him consistently and Narine himself has confirmed now that he is not ready to bowl 10 overs in the ODIs and his finger hurts.

Ever since he sustained the injury which also coupled with his change in action, Narine time and again refused to play for Windies stating he wasn’t ready and fit to take the field. However, the off-spinner played in almost every other T20 league.

I have missed representing West Indies

After the squad was announced on Wednesday, Sunil Narine explained his situation saying that his finger is not quite ready for international cricket and misses playing for West Indies. “I would have loved to play in the World Cup. I have missed international cricket and I have missed representing the West Indies. It’s where my heart lies.

“But I don’t feel my finger is quite ready for ODI cricket. I can get through a T20 where I bowl just four overs. But even that isn’t easy and I need help from the physio. It’s holding me back from playing international cricket. I wouldn’t be able to do myself or the team justice,” Narine was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

Having said that Sunil Narine didn’t deny playing in the World Cup if any player sustains an injury and the team needs him at any stage during the tournament.”I can’t say for sure at the moment. You never want anyone to suffer an injury, but if it did happen and I was able to give West Indies my all, I would love to be part of it,” the 30-year-old further added. He was also thankful to the selectors for considering him to play in the World Cup.

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