Former West Indies fast bowler Ravi Rampaul is relishing the opportunity to help guide the next generation of Caribbean quicks as he begins a new chapter in his cricketing journey, this time from the sidelines.
Rampaul, who was appointed as the West Indies’ bowling coach for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England from May 21 to June 3, is hoping to impart enough knowledge to help fast bowlers unlock their full potential by playing to their strengths.
The Trinidad and Tobago stalwart says he is both humbled and excited by the opportunity to contribute to West Indies cricket in a different capacity, as he takes over the role from New Zealand’s James Franklin.
“At first, after I retired, it was a bit tough. But I always knew I wanted to return to cricket and give back to the younger generations of West Indian cricketers that are coming up using the experience I’ve gathered over the years as a player.
“I’m very excited about this role, and I look forward to sharing my experience with the younger guys moving forward to help them fulfil their full potential,” Rampaul said.
West Indies will begin their tour with the first of three One-Day Internationals against Ireland in Dublin on May 21, followed by another three-match ODI and T20I series in England.
For Rampaul, who enjoyed an international career spanning nearly two decades and played in conditions around the world, the transition to coaching feels like a natural evolution.
He has already begun working closely with the bowlers, focusing on tactical refinement and skill repetition, including spot bowling drills, an essential tool in fine-tuning consistency.
“Spot bowling is critical to sharpen your skills and yorkers, or bowling that length ball. We know that the more repetition you bowl and your body gets accustomed to doing the same thing over and over, the better chance you have of doing it under pressure,” he explained.
When asked what specific qualities he hopes to instill in this current crop of bowlers, Rampaul pointed to game awareness, adaptability, and a deep understanding of individual strengths.
“The game is constantly evolving, especially in the T20 and one-day formats. My goal is to help them evolve their bowling with it, whether it be learning how to swing the ball, bowl yorkers, or adjust to different match situations.
“Each of these bowlers has a different skill set…whether it’s swing or pace, so it’s about helping them understand that their strength is their weapon to get you most of your wickets and carry you through your career,” Rampaul shared.
With the series taking place in England and Ireland, known for their seamer-friendly conditions, Rampaul has challenged his bowlers to be disciplined and patient.
“It’s about hitting the right areas. In English conditions, where the bowlers do get a little assistance. So it’s just bowling in the right areas and being able to be patient in these conditions,” he ended.
