West Indies withdraw Sunil Narine from India tour

The West Indies Cricket Board has decided to withdraw Sunil Narine from the tour of India after the spinner was reported for having a suspect action in the Champions League T20 tournament and barred from bowling in the final. In a statement, the WICB said the decision was taken to give “Narine the opportunity to have his action assessed and plan his return to cricket”. However, the board and team management were clearly unhappy about the development. “I am disappointed that our best bowler could suddenly be out of the tour,” WICB Chairman of Selectors Clive Lloyd said. “I am quite disappointed about the procedure that surrounded the ‘calling’ of Sunil in the Champions Trophy tournament. These things have the potential to disrupt the team’s preparation for a critical series against India but we will have to overcome this hurdle. [caption id=“attachment_1742185” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Sunil Narine’s cricketing future has been clouded. AFP[/caption] “We would like some clarity from the authorities on what led to the present situation and the details as we move forward. I think there must be a better way of doing the right things.” The West Indies are yet to name a replacement player for the ODI leg of the tour, which begins on 8 October. The West Indies will be playing five one-dayers, three Tests and a T20 International. According to a report in the Hindustan Times, the West Indies board has questioned the timing of the suspension, coming as it has just before the series against India. “’Given Sunil’s success in Indian conditions, there is a feeling that he poses the biggest threat to India, and in favourable conditions, he is the one bowler they would like to avoid facing,’ said the source privy to discussions among West Indies officials.” Narine’s suspension in the CLT20 was also announced the day before Kolkata Knight Knighters take on the Chennai Super Kings in the final. Narine has been KKR’s best bowler and is the leading wicket-taker in this year’s CLT20. Lloyd told ESPNcricinfo that the West Indies management had not heard anything official about the suspension. “Nobody has told us anything. Nobody has written a letter. That is the thing about it. Something should be said to us. We are left high and dry. All of a sudden, the guy is not playing in a tournament he has played for the last three years. What are you then saying about the tournament then? Are you saying that the tournament has probably previously allowed people who have got bad actions to play?” However, Lloyd did say that a confidential source told the West Indies Narine would be called for chucking on the tour of India. “I’s quite obvious that something must have been said somewhere,” Lloyd said. Narine is currently the No. 2 ranked bowler in ODIs and T20 Internationals. Pakistan offspinner. Saeed Ajmal, the No. 1 ranked bowler in ODIs, has also been reported for a suspect action has been banned from international cricket.