Cricket365

Ireland Stoked With Ravi Signing

Thursday 1st May 2008

Ireland coach Phil Simmons has spoken of his delight at finally securing an overseas player for the remainder of Ireland's Friends Provident fixtures.

West Indies pace bowler Ravi Rampaul is the player concerned, and he will go straight into action for Sunday's game against Leicestershire and the clash with Northamptonshire the following day.

The Leicestershire clash will see Simmons return to Grace Road, a ground which has happy memories for him.

In 1996 Simmons played the starring role as he guided Leicestershire to the County Championship title.

In addition to scoring 1,244 runs that season, he also claimed 56 wickets and took 35 catches to help the county claim the title.

His all-round performance saw Simmons win the accolade of Wisden Cricketer of the Year the following year.

Of the capture of Trinidadian Rampaul, Simmons said: "He's played 30 times for the West Indies in one-day internationals, and you don't do that unless you can play a bit.

"He's a very useful bowler, with plenty of pace and movement. He has a passion for the game, and loves to play.

"He's also a competitive type of player, which I like. He'll bring a lot to the dressing room."

The only change to the squad is that Rampaul replaces Andre Botha, who has been left out of the squad because of injury.

Simmons explained: "Andre had tests on Monday, and a scan yesterday. He has had elbow and ankle injuries for some time now.

"In Bangladesh he was able to bowl, but he couldn't do that on Sunday against Nottinghamshire."

"It's better for him and Ireland to get this sorted now.

"We have some huge tournaments over the next year, and our priority is to get him right for not just the Twenty20 World Cup qualifiers in August, but the ICC World Cup Qualifiers in UAE next April.

"He's played a lot of cricket over the past 16 months, and the rest will do him a power of good."

Monday's match will see Ireland come up against fellow countryman Niall O'Brien.

The wicketkeeper-batsman is no stranger to facing Ireland, having been part of the Kent side which defeated Ireland two years ago.