Bermuda cricket legend Clarence Parfitt believes that Delray Rawlins has what it takes to fulfil his sporting ambitions.

The 19-year-old Bermuda all-rounder hopes to play for England, something Parfitt, who claimed 115 wickets in Cup Match between 1965 and 1981, believes is well within his reach.

“He’s going down the right way and if he continues going the way he is going he is going to end up being a professional cricketer over here, which is what we want to see more of,” Parfitt, who is now a regional development director for Cricket Scotland, said.

“I think this is brilliant. It’s only one way of doing it, and that’s dedicating yourself to it, which it seems this boy has and it’s first class.”

Rawlins appears to be reaping the rewards for his work ethic, sacrifice and dedication after being named in England’s Under-19 squad this week for a tour to India early next year.

“Some of them come over here and they think it’s a holiday camp,” Parfitt said. “But you are here to learn and play for the club you are with and listen because you can always learn from anybody.

“I am still learning today when I do coaching because it’s so many different things coming up in the game so you have to be flexible.

“It’s up to the individuals, what do they want, and this boy has proven that he wants to make it to the top and good for him. I hope he goes all the way.”

The announcement that Rawlins has been named in the England Under-19 squad came three months after he signed a one-year professional contract with Sussex.

He is presently in Dubai with the England Young Lions who completed an emphatic ten-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates in a three-day game at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Rawlins moved to England five years ago on a programme set up by the Bermuda Cricket Board and has now qualified through residency to play for England.

Parfitt hopes that Rawlins’s success will inspire others.

“He’s an inspiration and maybe this will be an eye opener for the rest to see that they might be able to do it also,” Parfitt said.

“It makes me proud to see Bermuda cricketers getting these opportunities.

“That’s the reason why I had Lionel [Cann] and Del Hollis over here in clubs, to try and give the kids an outlook on what’s what.”