Barbados, June 28: West Indies pacer Ravi Rampaul, back in the reckoning after a two- year break, is all geared to trouble the Indian batsmen with his pace and swing. He spoke to the media before the Kensington Test against India here.

Excerpts from the conversation:

On the series

Even though we are one down in the series, in Jamaica we [had] plenty of opportunity of winning the Test matches, but the batting didn’t show up. [This is a] different country [Barbados], different wicket, [so] hopefully [there will be] a different result.

On the improvement in his bowling

[I’ve] changed my workload. [I] have been working hard on my fitness. I had been struggling with injuries for the past couple of years so fitness was a big part of my success in the Pakistan series. I have been working hard with the coach and [doing] a lot of bowling.

On the importance of pace for him as a new-ball bowler

I really tend to swing the ball. The pace is there; at times I strive for extra pace more so [for the] consistency and swinging high.

On coming back from injury

Without cricket for two years, that was a big setback in my life. I tend to work on it now and up my fitness and try doing different stuff so [that] it won’t happen again. It’s going well so far.

On whether the break helped him focus better

Definitely, I have been focusing more on work that needs to be done; [I’m] just training hard and putting in work at the gym and stuff like that. Keeping my body fit and ready.

On the difference between Test and ODI bowling

Test match [cricket] is more challenging; you’ve got to assess the batter more, then try to get him out. It is all fun and I enjoy playing Test cricket; it is nice and it tests your character.

On his new-ball partners, Fidel Edwards and Kemar Roach

We share a great relationship; we hang together, […] friendship we guys have.

On the chances of success against India

There is extra bounce in the wicket and consistency. Hopefully this Barbados track will be extra bouncy so we will be successful.