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One can't wait to get started. The other has placed his faith-and fate-in the hands of a higher power.

But Trinidad and Tobago players, middle-order batsman Lincoln Roberts and opener Suruj Ragoonath see their selections in the West Indies squad for the First Cable and Wireless Test against Australia at the Queen's Park Oval on Friday as the reward for hard work.

``I want to play bad!'' Roberts told the Express yesterday. ``I would love to play. I should have been doing this three years ago.''

The free-stroking 24-year-old right-hander has already created history by becoming the first player from Tobago to be selected in a West Indies senior squad.

And quite apart from the absence of Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Carl Hooper, Roberts's call-up has come as a result of his most prolific season to date. Averaging just 13.29 before his 47.16 in the Busta Cup and having recorded his maiden first-class century-151-against the Leeward Islands, Roberts puts his dramatic change in fortune down to greater focus.

``There was a difference in the way I batted in club cricket and the way I batted for Trinidad. In club cricket I put down my head and fight. But in the past, for Trinidad I used to give my wicket away. But I decided that I should not be batting so.''

Roberts also credited the guidance given by his T&T captain Ian Bishop and senior colleague Phil Simmons for his improved showing.

For Ragoonath, however, the praise went elsewhere.

``I've invested over ten years of my cricketing career to get here. I was happy for the fact that I persevered. That was something for which I must give the Lord thanks.''

Ragoonath, with just two half-centuries before his second innings 53 for the President's XI against Australia, admitted that he was looking for greater things at the start of this season.

``With what had happened in South Africa, I knew the chances of getting on (the team) were very great. But I had some injury problems and that set me back a bit.

``But at the end of the day, I have committed my life to the Lord and it will be played out according to His will.''

Ragoonath, having batted for just over two hours for his second innings 50, got a first-hand view of quickies Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie.

But now ``Ragoo'' is not thinking about the men, just the moment. ``The attack does not make much difference really,'' he concluded. ``The Australians are the best in the world and they are going to be coming at you whoever bowls.

The important thing is to make sure that I am properly mentally prepared to take advantage of this opportunity.''