Playing in the International Cricket Council (ICC) U-19 World Cup tournament in South Africa has been the fulfilment of a lifelong dream for West Indies batsman Kevlon Anderson.
Kevlon Anderson, batting during a World Cup match
In an interview with this daily publication done at the local club for which he plays, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), Anderson declared it was a pleasure to play in that World Cup tournament rocking the maroon colours of the West Indies.
Kevlon Anderson and Sports Journalist Brandon Corlette
“I think it is a pleasure playing for the West Indies, (and for the opportunity) I must thank The Almighty. It was a good effort from the team all-round in the tournament, but it was just not the result we expected. Playing for the West Indies U-19 is a dream come true. I always wanted to play, especially in the World Cup,” Anderson posited.
The West Indies U-19 finished in fifth position in that recently concluded World Cup tournament, but the Caribbean boys showed great fight. One reason for that showing was the presence of Anderson, who had been the rock of the middle order. This right-hander, who bats at number three, had an aggregate of 162 runs, the second highest by a West Indian, and had also scored a century in the World Cup warm-up matches. He
finished the tournament with an average of 40.50 and a high score of 86*.
Sharing his sentiments on playing in unfamiliar territory in South Africa, Anderson had this to say: “The conditions weren’t really in our favour, in contrast to the Caribbean; but we adjusted quickly”.
Now sponsored by Adidas through the efforts of the Ravi Etwaroo-led Cricket Zone USA, Anderson had this to say: “I would like to say, ‘Thanks!’ to Cricket Zone, and it is now up to me to go out there and deliver the goods”.
Solid in his batsmanship, Anderson disclosed that he is taking things one step at a time, and signalled his intention to play for the Guyana Jaguars 4-Day Team this season.
The classy batsman noted that his role in a team is to bat through the innings, pace the innings to perfection, and provide entertainment at the end.
This 19-year-old, who is fond of West Indies Test opener Kraigg Brathwaite, has rated the century he scored against the Georgetown team in the Cricket Guyana Inc. 50 Overs Franchise League as his best batting performance.
“In that match, we had to chase 290-odd (and) I had an injury to my finger. I was nervous at first and I had a slow start, but then I allowed myself to get set where I let my game take over”, Anderson explained.
This class act, who enjoys playing the flick off his legs, has shown his skill with the ball at the Regional level. His most memorable moment came at the Regional U-19 tournament, when he successfully defended three runs in the final over against Trinidad and Tobago.
Fittingly, Anderson has made his family and friends proud of his efforts. His father Alex Anderson has expressed delight with his son’s progress in cricket.
“Kevlon started to play cricket at age nine. He was desperate for cricket during his primary school days. As soon as he got past Common Entrance, my wife and I allowed him to play. It all started at the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), where he started to develop a lot.
“I decided to put some emphasis in him after he made the West Indies U-19 Team. I feel 200% proud because he is the first (of my children to have made this achievement). He has other brothers, but he certainly made the family proud”, Alex Anderson disclosed.
This confident father has predicted that his son would reach greater heights in cricket, and would sooner or later play for West Indies at the senior level.
“I am encouraging him to stay focused, and he will make it big”, the senior Anderson added.
Without doubt, Kevlon Anderson is one for the future. With nurturing from Guyana and West Indies mentors, he will break barriers in the world of cricket.
