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It was a tough introduction, but the two newest members of the West Indies fast bowling family report that they are much better off as a result.

Corey Collymore and Pedro Collins, the young Barbadians fast-tracked into the side for the Cable & Wireless four-match Test series, both said they had matured as cricketers and individuals after their first taste of international competition.

``It's rough compared to regional level and you have to bowl a lot better to get wickets,'' said Collymore, 21, who replaced his close mate Collins for the final Test in Antigua.

He had a 'staring' match with Australian captain Steve Waugh after he bowled the batsman a few short balls and a conversation resulted.

'Bit slow'

``He fended one and came down and said it was a bit slow,'' Collymore said. ``I said: 'If that was slow, I'll show you how slow it can get'.''

Collins made his debut in the first game in Trinidad when the West Indies lost by 312 runs and said he learned a lot about playing the waiting game.

``You must be a lot more patient,'' the 22-year-old left-arm seamer said. ``It's a totally different atmosphere and you represent a lot more people. It's not like playing for Barbados; for the West Indies you play for the entire Caribbean.

``You can get very nervous at times as you are always in the spotlight. You don't want to let down your people. You have to keep concentrating hard whether you're bowling, batting or fielding.''

Both said they were more than grateful to senior team-mates, especially ace fast bowlers Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh.

``There was a very strong team spirit and everyone supported you,'' said Collymore, who collected one for 109 off 41 overs. ``Even when you bowl a bad ball the guys say: 'Keep going', and even if you bowl a bad over they say: 'Well bowled'.''

Collins played in three matches and had eight wickets at 45.12 apiece.

Neither is recognised locally for their batting, but both showed determination with the bat. Collymore defended for over an hour in the second innings of his Test when the West Indies were heading to defeat, while Collins was used as nightwatchman on four occasions, and batted for over two hours in the Jamaica Test.

``I had never batted as nightwatchman before and at first I was reluctant,'' Collins said. ``But it was what the team required.''

Collymore's resilience and fight was praised by commentators. He said he felt the West Indies could have earned a draw.

``I was trying to hang in and bat 'til the end of day. I was playing for a draw and I gave it my best,'' he said.