Windies appoint Sarwan as Lara's deputy

Antigua, Jun 2 (UNI) Ramnaresh Sarwan has been appointed as the Vice Captain of the West Indies cricket team for the remainder Digicel 2006 Home Series against India.

''The appointment was confirmed at the WICB's Board meeting held on May 27-28, 2006,'' a West Indies Cricket Board release said here.

Brian Lara was appointed captain of the side on April 26 but the WICB did not name his deputy and speculation was rife about who will get the job.

After Shivnarine Chanderpaul's resignation, Sarwan was in fact in the running to take over as the new captain but WICB brought back Lara for the third time and the southpaw did not let down, leading the side to a 5-0 whitewash of Zimbabwe and then a 4-1 trouncing of the mighty India in the one dayers.

Sarwan was in sparkling form in the one day series against India and it was little surprise that he walked away with the Man-of-the-Series award.

Sarwan had earlier served as vice-captain under Lara and Chanderpaul last year.

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