After grabbing a rare ten-wicket haul in one innings and then debuting for the West Indies against Zimbabwe at the age of 19, many figured Ravi Rampaul had finally arrived.

Yet 17 One-Dayers and 11 wickets later, the right-arm fast bowler?s career would take a ?painful? turn for the worse when shin splints in both legs became unbearable, forcing the Trinidadian out of action for two years.

But with the hopes of an entire nation riding on his shoulders, quitting the game was not an option for Rampaul ? the biggest buzz in Trinidad cricket since the emergence of Brian Lara.

Thus began the cricketer?s long journey to recovery ? a journey he reckons is now nearly complete.

?I?d say I?m about 90 percent fit and my ultimate goal is to play in the World Cup and so I?m working very hard a that,? Rampaul told .

?But it has been a lot of hard work trying to get myself back in shape. I could not run or use my legs excessively for about one year.

?It was very painful and very disappointing for me having just started playing for the West Indies ? but such is life.

?I love to play cricket and it?s a part of life that you will get injured at some point in time. But it?s been tough because the hardest thing to do is to get back to fitness when you are not fit.?

And fitness, Rampaul stressed, is the key to success.

?If you love the game of cricket you need to work hard and train both mentally and physically and practise a lot,? he continued. ?So my advice is to work hard and keep working hard.?

Rampaul returned to playing competitive cricket in late September, 2005, and in July of this year was awarded a scholarship to attend Cricket Australia?s Commonwealth Bank Centre of Excellence in Brisbane.

?I did some therapy there (Australia) which is really working for me right now,? Rampaul said. ?They treated me very nicely, the standard was very high and they also focused on fitness most of the time which has helped my bowling and my game mentally.?

This has been clearly evidenced on Clico Preysal?s five-match tour of Bermuda so far which has seen the fast bowler claim ten wickets for a stingy 51 runs.

?I am pretty much pleased with the tour so far and this is a very nice place, although the weather has been a bit different,? Rampaul said.

Whilst on tour the Trinidadian has observed some up and coming talent, pointing in particular to Southampton Rangers? budding all-rounder Malachi Jones.

?Malachi is pretty good as he is able to move the ball about. He looks pretty good to me, and if he just keeps training hard he will be a very good player one day,? Rampaul said.

?You really have to put in the effort if you want to get something out of it.?

Two individuals the 22-year-old cricketer admires most are former West Indies stars Ian Bishop and Gus Logie ? currently Bermuda?s national coach.

?Ian is the reason why I am here today . .. . he?s stuck by me,? Rampaul said.

It was Bishop who was largely responsible for persuading Rampaul to join Clico from former club, Presentation College, while Logie coached the speedster at the West Indies Under-19 level.

?Gus is well respected and is a very good coach, I must say,? Rampaul said. ?He?s very friendly and open.

?You can go up and talk to him about life situations or anything at any time. And I think that?s a good quality in a coach, where you can go up and talk to him freely about anything.?

Rampaul will be looking to add to his tally when Clico take on Premier Division champions Southampton Rangers today at Somerset Cricket Club in a 50 overs affair, beginning at 11 a.m.

The visiting Trinidadians will then close out their five-match tour tomorrow in a 20-overs contest against a Somerset Cricket Club 20/20 Select XI in the West End, commencing at 5.30 p.m.