Rampaul signs for Ireland

Mon, Apr 28, '08

 

Trinidad & Tobago fast bowler Ravi Rampaul has been signed to appear as an overseas player for the Ireland national squad.

Rampaul is expected to appear in next weekend’s Friends Provident Trophy double header away to Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. The 23-year-old,  who has taken 25 wickets in 30 ODIs for the West Indies, is Ireland national coach Phil Simmons' belated choice as overseas professional for the remaining seven games in the one-day competition against the counties. He is likely to be a straight swap for Andre Botha who sees a specialist today, for blood tests, as the all-rounder continues to struggle with an elbow and ankle problem.

Rampaul’s new ball partner at Grace Road on Sunday could be Kevin O’Brien, who produced his best one-day figures for Ireland as Notts were reduced to 19 for three. The Railway Union all rounder took two for 14 in his first spell of eight overs and deservedly added two more, at a cost of 17 runs in the last two overs of the innings.

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