By KERN RAMLOCHAN Friday, September 3 2010

click on pic to zoom in

PAKISTAN cricketers Mohammad Amir, left, Salman Butt, right, and Mohammad Asif walk to ataxi as they leave their hotel in Taunton, England on Wednesda...

THE Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) has expressed their disappointment that top cricketer Denesh Ramdin has not been given a West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) central retainer contract.

The West Indies wicketkeeper/batsman was not recommended for a central retainer contract by the Selection Committee due to his poor form with the bat.

TTCB president, Azim Bassarath said on Wednesday that he was disappointed that Ramdin was not given a central retainer contract especially since no wicketkeeper was included on the final list.

“It is strange to us that Denesh Ramdin was not listed for a contract and when you look at the list of players given central contracts and there was no wicketkeeper included in the 14 or 15 players,” said Bassarath yesterday.

“I do not know what was on the minds of the Cricket Committee but I hope they know best,” he added.

The leading cricket administrator acknowledged that Ramdin has struggled with the bat and need to improve that aspect of his game.

“The Cricket Committee highlighted the poor performance of Denesh with the bat for a period of time, but we think he deserved a central retainer contract,” stressed Bassarath.

The former chairman of the South East Zonal Council explained that given the current environment of West Indies cricket it was unfortunate that Ramdin was ignored by the Cricket Committee.

“If you look at the current structure of West Indies cricket, Denesh Ramdin is one of the most experienced players in the team. He is an asset to any West Indies team he is selected on,” said Bassarath.

The TTCB president is confident that Ramdin will rebound from the setback and the TTCB will be assisting in any way possible.

“The TTCB has discussed the matter and it was referred to the National Team Committee to look at ways we could assist Denesh Ramdin. There will be specialised training prepared for him to help him overcome his flaws but this will not be limited to him alone. This will be done for the other West Indies and national players,” said Bassarath.

He added: “Denesh has a strong character and has a determined and level head. I am sure he will be able to overcome his shortcomings, he loves cricket and he has the temperament to bounce back.”

Bassarath also congratulated the other Trinidad and Tobago players who got retainer contracts including Adrian Barath, Kieron Pollard, Darren Bravo and Imran Khan.