Rajasthan lures in Solanki, Kabir Ali to play Ranji Trophy

New Delhi, Nov 16 (UNI) Worcestershire twins Vikram Solanki and Kabir Ali reach here today to play for Rajasthan in the upcoming Ranji Trophy matches.

Talking to UNI over phone, Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) secretary Subhash Joshi confirmed the arrival of the English cricketers and said, ''Both of them are expected to reach Delhi today before arriving here. They would first play couple of practice matches before travelling to play the first Ranji match in Ahmedabad later this month.'' Rajasthan is in Group B and they kick off their campaign with a November 23-26 tie against Gujarat.

''Solanki was born in Udaipur and as it turns out, he would be actually turning for his home state,'' he added.

Solanki is yet to make his Test debut but has played 51 ODIs for England. Born in Udaipur and raised in Wolverhampton, Solanki made his debut for Worcestershire when 16 and was appointed captain of the county last year.

Medium pacer Kabir Ali has played one Test and 14 ODIs and the Birmingham-born seamer and part-time model -- adjudged one of the 50 most eligible bachelors in Britain according to Asian Woman&Bride magazine -- was part of the England team that visited India last year.

Earlier, there was news that out-of-favour England pacer Darren Gough is open to playing domestic cricket in India and reports claimed he was game to represent Maharashtra in the Ranji Trophy.

In the past, foreigners including West Indian pacers Roy Gilchrist, Chester Watson, Charlie Stayers and Lester King had made appearance in Indian domestic cricket.

This season too, a number of foreigners would be seen in action.

Australian Darren Holder coaches Maharashtra while former Pakistan captain Intikhab Alam has coached Punjab.

Of late, Delhi has roped in former Pakistan pacer Sarfraz Nawaz to guide its medium pacers, while Bengal is negotiation with Imran Khan for a week-long clinic in January, besides its other ambitious plan to rope in John Buchanan after the Aussie's contract with Ricky Ponting's team ends with the World Cup.

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