Sunil Narine: “I just don’t want to rush back into International cricket and the 50-over game”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

West Indies spinner Sunil Narine has admitted that he isn’t ready to make his international return, especially when it comes to ODIs.

Narine was recently left out of the West Indies’ squad for the World Cup Qualifiers. In the statement released by Cricket West Indies, chairman of selectors Courtney Browne said that Narine, along with Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell and Darren Bravo had “indicated that they were unavailable to help us qualify as their priority was playing in the Pakistan Super League”.

Like Bravo and Pollard, Narine has disputed those comments, saying that he needs more time before playing 50-over cricket again since he didn’t feature in any ODIs last year. In fact, Narine’s last ODI for the West Indies came all the way back in October 2016.

“It’s nothing like that,” Narine told the Line & Length TV show as quoted by the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian. “I just don’t want to rush back into International cricket and the 50-over game. I think I need to play some 50-over cricket at the regional level and get accustomed again.

“I don’t want to rush back into it (international cricket) and make a mess of myself. I think it’s about my self-performance, self-belief and trying to go out there and perform for T&T and once I can do that I will be available for West Indies again.

“I think playing for the West Indies is the ultimate goal. I think you must try and enjoy your cricket and enjoy it no matter what. So, I will see how these games go in the Super50 and if I am comfortable and enjoying it, why not, I will play for West Indies again.”

While he may not be playing in the World Cup Qualifiers, Narine is confident that the West Indies will secure a spot in the 2019 World Cup, which will be held in England and Wales.

“I think they can [qualify]. They have a good team,” the 29-year-old said. “They just need to enjoy the cricket, be positive and once they are enjoying it, they can play as well as they want to.”