PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) - Trinidad and Tobago and West Indies
Under-19 fast bowler, Ravi Rampaul, is thrilled to be selected on the West Indies squad for the forthcoming tour of Zimbabwe.
The 18-year-old was speaking to reporters at the Piarco International Airport on Monday upon his arrival from the United States of America, where he was on a visit with his parents.
"I know I had a good Red Stripe tournament. I always thought I gave the selectors something to think about.
“But I thought my selection came sooner than I anticipated. However, I am thrilled about it," Rampaul stated.
Rampaul gained the nod of the regional senior selectors headed by former West Indies captain Sir Vivian Richards, and including ex-Test cricketers Joey Carew and Gordon Greenidge.
The right-arm pacer had an excellent Under-19 tournament in Guyana, where he guided T&T to the unique double. He was the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 27 victims.
Rampaul caught the eyes of many in Zone ‘B’ of the recently concluded Red Stripe Bowl tournament in Antigua, where he again loomed as the leading strike bowler.
He said that it is a proud moment for him and his parents and would like to thank God for making a dream come true.
“I want to thank my father, Siewdath, my devoted mother, Parbatie, my brothers, Surendra, Vishwanath, Doodnath and my sister, Padmini, they all have been an inspiration to me,” an emotional Rampaul said.
A student of the Couva Government Secondary School, Rampaul said that he is looking ahead to the task and vowed to do his best to make T&T, and by extension the region, proud.
Rampaul expressed his thanks to his coaches and supporters, who have nursed and guided him to success during his career.
The stage is now set for Rampaul to become the first fast bowler of East Indian origin from Trinidad and Tobago to play Test cricket for the West Indies.
Rampaul will leave here today along with compatriots Daren Ganga and Mervyn Dillon for a short training camp in Antigua.
The West Indies will tour Zimbabwe from October 30 to November 30, during which they will play two Tests and five One-Day Internationals.