Already having tasted international one-day action, opening batsman Lendl Simmons says he is eager to make his Test debut following his call-up to the West Indies squad for the second Test against England.
"I am very happy with the fact that the selectors have shown faith in me once more and that I am back in the West Indies team," said the 24-year-old who has played eight One-Day Internationals.
"I have played one-day cricket for the West Indies already but never Test cricket and I am hoping to be on the Test team for the second Test on Friday.
"I have worked very hard on my game and it has resulted with this call-up and I am hoping to make the best of it."
Simmons was one of two changes to the West Indies squad with left-handed batsman Ryan Hinds also chosen for the second Test of the four-match series starting Friday in Antigua.
The Trinidadian gave the selectors perhaps their firmest nudge when he slammed a career-best 282 for West Indies A against England, in a three-day tour match in St Kitts last week.
He said despite this, he would take nothing for granted against England's attack if given the chance in the upcoming Test.
"I thought that their bowling was pretty ordinary during the tour game but having said that, on different surfaces they might prove a challenge," he noted.
"Once given the opportunity to play, I will be playing each ball on merit and looking to make a significant contribution to the West Indies cause."
Simmons, who has not played for West Indies in almost two years, said becoming a senior player in the Trinidad and Tobago side had lifted his game.
"Ever since I became one of the senior batsmen on the national team, my game started to improve," he said.
"I think that this added responsibility has really helped my batting and taken me from strength to strength."
West Indies won the first Test against England by an innings and 23 runs inside four days last Saturday, after routing the tourists for 51 in their second innings.
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC)
Already having tasted international one-day action, opening batsman Lendl Simmons says he is eager to make his Test debut following his call-up to the West Indies squad for the second Test against England.
"I am very happy with the fact that the selectors have shown faith in me once more and that I am back in the West Indies team," said the 24-year-old who has played eight One-Day Internationals.
"I have played one-day cricket for the West Indies already but never Test cricket and I am hoping to be on the Test team for the second Test on Friday.
"I have worked very hard on my game and it has resulted with this call-up and I am hoping to make the best of it."
Simmons was one of two changes to the West Indies squad with left-handed batsman Ryan Hinds also chosen for the second Test of the four-match series starting Friday in Antigua.
The Trinidadian gave the selectors perhaps their firmest nudge when he slammed a career-best 282 for West Indies A against England, in a three-day tour match in St Kitts last week.
He said despite this, he would take nothing for granted against England's attack if given the chance in the upcoming Test.
"I thought that their bowling was pretty ordinary during the tour game but having said that, on different surfaces they might prove a challenge," he noted.
"Once given the opportunity to play, I will be playing each ball on merit and looking to make a significant contribution to the West Indies cause."
Simmons, who has not played for West Indies in almost two years, said becoming a senior player in the Trinidad and Tobago side had lifted his game.
"Ever since I became one of the senior batsmen on the national team, my game started to improve," he said.
"I think that this added responsibility has really helped my batting and taken me from strength to strength."
West Indies won the first Test against England by an innings and 23 runs inside four days last Saturday, after routing the tourists for 51 in their second innings.