Rampaul eager to win WI pick

ONE of the three players on the comeback trail from injury whom the West Indies selection panel is considering for the tour of Australia is Ravi Rampaul. The 20-year-old fast bowler is expected to make a return to action for Trinidad and Tobago in next month’s West Indies Cricket Board President’s Trophy limited-overs series. “It has been a lot of hard work trying to get myself back in shape,” Rampaul told TV6 Sports in an interview. “I could not run or use my legs excessively for about one year, but I am now back in the gym. It’s been tough because the hardest thing to do is to get back to fitness, when you are not fit.” Rampaul has not played cricket, since he returned from the West Indies tour of England last year with shin splints.

He said he never thought about throwing in the towel during the long period he spent away from the game. Rampaul said he kept focussed by looking at tapes and keeping himself informed about what was happening in the world of cricket. “After the President’s Trophy, hopefully I see how I feel,” he said. “I know it’s still a long road back, and I still have some way to go to get back to full fitness, but I will have to see how things go in the regional One-day competition and move from there.” Rampaul is as anxious as ever to make a return to the West Indies line-up. “This is my ultimate goal,” he said. “I want to get back into the team and I am looking forward to giving a good performance in the President’s Trophy, and use it as a stepping stone to get back into the West Indies team.” Rampaul has played 17 limited-overs internationals for West Indies.