PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — West Indies Cricket Board director Baldath Mahabir says more needs to be done to develop the region’s fast-bowling stocks.

Mahabir said pacers like Test rookie Ravi Rampaul needed help if they were to make a serious impact on the international scene.

“We need a development clinic for the fast bowlers, so that players like Ravi Rampaul can become better players,” said Mahabir.

“Ravi needs to put on a yard or two of pace to be more effective. He bowls around 135 km per hour, but needs to clock around 140 km. This would give him some venom, which would make a big difference to his bowling.”

Rampaul made his Test debut in the opening game of the ongoing three-Test series against Australia at the Gabba but has turned in only moderate displays so far.

The right-armer finished with one for 110 in the first Test which West Indies lost by an innings and 65 runs and in the drawn Adelaide Test, claimed match figures of one for 74.

Mahabir said while the Windies second Test display was impressive, they needed to work on sustaining these performances.

“The performance of the West Indies team was very encouraging indeed. What we need is more consistency from our players,” he noted.

“There must be a reason why they are not performing consistently and we need to look at this.”