Bermuda’s “secret weapon” Dwayne Leverock insisted yesterday that the international media’s preoccupation with his extra large frame wasn’t bothering him in the least.

Virtually unknown outside the Americas region before snapping up two key wickets during last week’s warm-up game against England, since when his picture has been splashed across newspapers around the globe, the 270-lb heavyweight spinner said he would prefer that journalists concentrate on his performance on the field rather than his size.

“But it doesn’t bother me,” he smiled. “If people are concerned about my weight that’s their problem.

“My objective is just to play cricket and represent my country to the best of my ability.”

Interviewed by Indian national TV after training at the Sir Frank Worrell ground on the University of West Indies campus yesterday, Leverock admitted he was flattered by all the attention and getting more and more excited as Bermuda’s opening World Cup game against Sri Lanka tomorrow drew closer.

“I’m just looking to keep my feet on the ground and trying to help my team . . . we’re just following the processes as we go on this journey. I take one ball at a time and one game at a time.

“But we’re at a stage now when it’s very interesting, very exciting.

“I feel very relaxed right now but I guess as the first game approaches I’ll get the jitters. I think it’s just about enjoying the moment.”

Asked whether he expected to be compared with Sri Lanka’s spin genius Muttiah Muralitharan when the two players come face to face at the Queen’s Park Oval tomorrow, Leverock said: “It’s an honour to be playing against Murilatharan, he’s one of the best spinners in the world.

“But I’m not going to put myself up against him. I’m just going to bowl as I always have and enjoy playing against them.”

And could Bermuda spring the first major upset of the World Cup?

“We want to give a good showing of ourselves. Cricket’s a funny game, we’ll play as best we can and let the day unfold.”