Rampaul says CLT20 good preparation for India series

MUMBAI, India, CMC – Seasoned West Indies seamer Ravi Rampaul believes his Champions League Twenty20 campaign will serve him well in the One-Day International series against India starting next Wednesday. The right-armer spearheaded the Barbados Tridents attack during the CLT20, taking five wickets as the Caribbean side won just one of their four preliminary games to miss out on the semi-final round. Rampaul will now turn his attention to West Indies duty as the regional side take on India in five ODIs.

Ravi Rampaul 
Ravi Rampaul

“This exposure will help me prepare for the upcoming five-match ODI series. This will definitely help me in getting used to the conditions here in India and I will try and do well in the one-day series,” Rampaul said.

“I understand it is a longer format of the game and you require a lot more patience. I will be looking to assess the conditions and the pitches properly and then use the right variations at the right time.”

Rampaul will form part of a formidable pace attack for the series, which includes Kemar Roach, Jerome Taylor and Jason Holder.

The attack will also include captain Dwayne Bravo who bowls medium pace and former captain Darren Sammy, who also bowls medium.

Rampaul said he expected a lot from the team’s seam attack.

“The squad that we will be bringing here has some good fast bowlers in the ranks,” the Trinidadian said.

“We have Jason Holder and the experienced Jerome Taylor and Kemar Roach coming back into the squad. Once we rally along each other as a fast bowling unit, I think we can perform very well.”

Rampaul will taste action on Friday when West Indies face India A in the first tour match of the series Brabourne Stadium. The Windies will also play India A again on Sunday at Wankhede Stadium.

The 29-year-old Rampaul has taken 112 wickets from 88 ODIs.