Andrew Richardson and Nelon Pascal, the two new boys in the West Indies team for this tour of England, have indicated they are ready for the upcoming challenge.

The Windies had their first training session Friday evening at the Middlesex County Club Academy, after cold and damp conditions forced them indoors.

The 27-year-old Richardson, a tall, accurate fast bowler has been knocking at the door for a few years and has been given the opportunity at the international level. Pascal, who turns 22 on April 25, is a strongly built quickie who has impressed with his pace and athleticism.

"I am extremely delighted to be selected to represent the West Indies. As a boy growing up in Jamaica, it was always my dream to represent the West Indies and now I have made it. I'm ready to do my duty," the confident Richardson said. "I want to make the most of it and prove myself. My ambition is to try to help the West Indies win and continue the success the team has started. I would like to be known as someone who is a good team man and always willing to make a contribution."

Richardson noted that he was feeling fitter and stronger than at any other stage in his career and he believed this was the main reason for his call-up.

"I made myself fit and I played my role for Jamaica this year (in the WICB four-day tournament). I am really looking forward to playing at the international level."

Thrilled

Pascal, like Richardson, said he is thrilled to be in the side.

"I was performing really well for the Windward Islands this season, so I was not totally surprised that I was selected for this tour. At the same time, I am excited to be given the oppor-tunity to represent the West Indies at the highest level," said the Grenadian. "My main strength is my pace and my ability to bowl straight, so I will be looking to perform at the best ability every time I get the opportunity. I will also try to learn as much as I can and look to improve."

The West Indies arrived in England on Thursday and will travel to Leicester where they will start with a three-day warm-up match against the County team at Grace Road, starting tomorrow.

The other warm-up matches will be against Essex on April 25-27 and against the England Lions from April 30 to May 3.

The first Test is at Lord's from May 6-10. The second Test will be at Riverside Ground at Chester-le-Street, starting May 14.

SQUAD: Chris Gayle (captain), Denesh Ramdin (vice-captain), Lionel Baker, Sulieman Benn, David Bernard, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Narsingh Deonarine, Fidel Edwards, Brendan Nash, Nelon Pascal, Dale Richards, Andrew Richardson, Darren Sammy, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lendl Simmons, Devon Smith, Jerome Taylor.

TEAM STAFF: Omar Khan (manager), John Dyson (head coach), David Williams (assistant coach), C.J Clark (physiotherapist), Steve Folkes (strength and conditioning coach), Richard Berridge (video analyst), Philip Spooner (media officer), Virgil Browne (massage therapist).