By taking a wicket with his first delivery in the World Cup, second-generation cricketer Malachi Jones has proven that dreams can come true.

The Berkeley Institute student enjoyed a stunning debut when he combined with Dwayne Leverock to dismiss India’s Robin Uthappa during Bermuda’s record-breaking loss to India at Queen’s Park Oval on Monday.

“Life holds a lot of surprises, and once I learned I was going to play against India I thought to myself that this was my opportunity to try and shine on the world stage,” said Jones, son of former Bermuda bastman Olin Jones and nephew of former St.George’s Cup Match skipper Clevie Wade.

“I didn’t have that much jitters and I was very eager to get the ball and focus on taking that first wicket, not knowing that I would get it with my first ball.” The youngster doesn’t remember too much after making the initial breakthrough.

“After I took that wicket everything went crazy. . . I was so overwhelmed. But I just tried to stay focused,” he said. Jones’ five minutes of fame was the culmination of countless hours of preparation.

“I have worked hard on my game in pursuit of my personal goals, and I just feel that this is a dream come true for any youngster to be involved in Bermuda’s first World Cup team at such a young age,” he said.

What is surprising, however, is that the 17-year-old all-rounder once rated his chances of making the senior national team as slim.

“I really didn’t think I was going to get selected. But when I received the opportunity to play in the World Cup, I couldn’t wait to get here,” Jones said. “I wasn’t really trying to get into the team because I didn’t think I would be included at such a young age.”

With many of the senior members on Bermuda’s World Cup squad expected to bow out of international cricket in the near future, Jones says the time is ripe for the torch to be passed on. “I feel there’s room for more youngsters in the team, and I encourage them to try and work harder and take things more seriously because you never know who is watching,” he said.

“There are other players out there like Christopher Douglas, Jekon Edness, Rodney Trott and Oronde Bascome that are on the outskirts of the senior national team. And I think once they come onboard we will have an even stronger nucleus.”

And as for his own personal development, Jones said: “I just want to try and improve my game even more and take it to a whole new level.”