Ramnaresh Sarwan ... ready to return to the fold. - File

COOLIDGE, Antigua (CMC):

WEST INDIES middle-order batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan is nearing full fitness and is ready to take on the Sri Lankans in the upcoming series in the Caribbean.

Speaking after his Guyana team exited the Stanford 20/20 cricket series at the semi-final stage against Jamaica, Sarwan, who missed the African tour with an ankle injury, said he is ready for battle and looking forward to playing international cricket again.

"The ankle injury is about 95 per cent healed and there is no worry with it at present. It has been a while nursing this injury, but since arriving in Antigua and meeting up with physiotherapist Stephen Partridge, I have progressed a lot," Sarwan said.

"Partridge has done a lot of work with me as far as the injury is concerned and I am ready for the rigours of international cricket again," the 27-year-old right-hander declared.

Sarwan, who was appointed West Indies captain last summer after Brian Lara retired from international cricket, injured his ankle during Guyana's KFC Cup challenge late last year and missed the West Indies tours to Zimbabwe and South Africa as a result.

Hopeful

"I am now hopeful that I stay injury free and be able to resume my international career when Sri Lanka visits the Caribbean," he said.

"After the Sri Lankans, we have Australia which is another tough tour, so I am trying to prepare as best as possible in order to get back into the team and do well for the West Indies," he said.

Sarwan added that the remaining Carib Beer Cup matches he has with the Guyanese national team were crucial to his preparation.

"Playing in the remaining four-day Carib Beer Cup matches is very important for me. Apart from trying to get our campaign on track, I would have the opportunity to now fully test out the injury and prepare myself for the rigours of Test cricket."