The friction between the West Indies board and the players
has always been well documented. When the West Indies attempted to call up
Sunil Narine, Dwayne Bravo, Andre Russell and Kieron Pollard, the quartet
rejected their advances, citing their unavailability due to their association
with Pakistan Super League
When asked about whether he prefers money more than playing
for West Indies, Sunil Narine rejected those claims straightaway, stating that he doesn’t
feel like he is ready to play international cricket right now. The mystery
spinner also believes that he has to play well with Trinidad and Tobago, while
also labeling playing for West Indies as the “ultimate goal.”
“It’s nothing like that,” Narine told the Massy United Insurances
Line & Length TV show.
“I just don’t want to rush back into International cricket
and the 50-over game. I think I need to play some 50-overs 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.”
He also gave his opinion on West Indies’ chances to qualify
for the World Cup in the senior players’ absence.
“I think they can [qualify]. They have a good team,” Narine
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.”