Bishop: Rampaul's story is a tribute to perseverance

Ravi Rampaul is a fine example of how one should go about resurrecting a cricketing career, says Ian Bishop, writing in Mid-Day, while tracing the fast bowler's story.

My first encounter with him was as a 14-year-old when he was representing Trinidad and Tobago at the West Indies regional under-15 tournament ... With a smooth run- up and nippy pace for his age, he impressed me with his ability then and his willingness to learn. As manager of that team, I occasionally jogged back to the hotel from the ground and he, with one or two others, would come along. Any bowling advice given to him at practice sessions he would immediately try and implement ...

One day during the tournament I said to him, ‘ do you know that you have enough talent to play for the West Indies some day?’ His look was one of astonishment, as if to suggest, ‘ who, me? Are you mad?’ While his response spoke of his naivety then, as it probably would have done to most 14-year-olds at that time, it also speaks of his humility which has been his hallmark right through.