Narine picks IPL over Tests

Sunil Narine's decision to stay with Kolkata Knight Riders for the IPL final on Sunday will result in him not being considered for next month's Test series against New Zealand. Narine had been given a June 1 deadline by the WICB to join the training camp ahead of the Tests which start on June 8.

Most other West Indians in the IPL have been able to meet that deadline, but with Knight Riders making the final, Narine's stay in the IPL has been extended. Narine, though, will be considered for selection for the Twenty20s against New Zealand in July.

Richard Pybus, the WICB director of cricket, said the new "West Indies First" policy required players to make themselves available for team's preparatory camps. "The onus of the WICB is to protect the integrity of international cricket at all times. International cricket, and specifically Test cricket, is priority and requires dedicated preparation which is integral to team success," he said. "The WICB policy requires players to commit to sufficient preparation leading in to a series as part of a culture of excellence."

Without Narine, West Indies would be short of a key bowler who has made his reputation principally in the shorter versions of the game (he is ranked No.3 in ODIs and No.2 in T20 Internationals by the ICC), but who has 18 of his 21 Test wickets against New Zealand, in two matches in the Caribbean in 2012 and one in New Zealand last December.

Off-spinner Shane Shillingford, returning from his second clearance following suspension for an illegal delivery, and left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn, who played the last of his 17 Tests almost three-and-a-half years ago, are the other spinners in the squad.

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As expected, Sunil Narine chooses IPL over Windies



West Indies spinner Sunil Narine will miss next month's three-Test series against New Zealand after opting to stay with his Indian Premier League team, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has said.

The ‘Windies First Policy’ of the WICB required the 26-year-old spinner to join the training camp by Sunday, also the day when his Twenty20 team plays the final.

"The onus of the WICB is to protect the integrity of international cricket at all times," the board's Director of Cricket Richard Pybus said in a statement.


"International cricket, and specifically Test cricket, is priority and requires dedicated preparation which is integral to team success.

"The WICB policy requires players to commit to sufficient preparation leading in to a series as part of a culture of excellence," Pybus added.

Difficult to read and more successful in the shorter formats, Narine has played six Tests claiming 21 wickets, 18 of them coming against New Zealand.


His absence would force West Indies to look at off-spinner Shane Shillingford, just back from a suspension for an illegal bowling action, and towering left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn who played his last Test in December 2010.

Narine will be considered for the two Twenty20 Internationals against New Zealand in July, the WICB said.

Kingston hosts the first Test from June 8, followed by matches in Port-of-Spain (June 16-20) and Guyana (June 26-30).