TT to play one-dayers without Ravi Rampaul

Young West Indies fast bowler Ravi Rampaul has been ruled out of next month’s West Indies Limited Overs Champion-ship because of injury. Ailing with shin splints, the promising 19-year-old had to cut short the recent tour of England with the regional senior team and has been fighting to regain full fitness since. Rampaul visited the West Indies Cricket Board’s medical man in TT, Dr Terry Ali on Monday and was advised to stay away from cricket for the next two weeks. According to chairman of the senior TT selection panel, Dudnath Ramkessoon, Rampaul is still experiencing pain, and has been told by Dr Ali to engage only in light training exercises.

“Rampaul is still experiencing some sort of pains. His report from his physiotherapist, Nicole De Freitas was seen by Dr Ali, and the player was told to do light training exercises, and to stay away from cricket for the next two weeks,” Ramkessoon stated. Ramkessoon said that in interest of Rampaul’s career, Dr Ali advised that by participating in the limited overs tournament next month, he would run the risk of serious injury, since he was not 100 percent fit. “Rampaul was told by Dr Ali to take things lightly, and a training programme is being drawn up for the young cricketer.

Dr Ali thinks that if everything goes according to plan, Rampaul will be fully fit for start of the 2005 Carib Beer Regional Cricket Series,” Ramkessoon stated. Ramkessoon added that Rampaul is expected to visit Dr Ali in two weeks, when another assessment on the injury would be made. He said that Rampaul’s absence from the team is a setback.  “Rampaul is definitely an asset to the team. However, we cannot take any chances with his injury, which could hinder a bright international career for the youngster,” Ramkessoon no-ted.