Hemp backs Leverock to take chance
Bermuda national team skipper David Hemp is hopeful youngster Kamau Leverock will make the most of his opportunities in England, after getting off to a flying start while playing in a Dorking Cricket Club’s inter-squad match.Turning out for Dorking’s second XI, the 16-year-old stroked 94 runs, while also opening the bowling claiming two wickets in his side’s win.He is now set to train and play for Surrey and Sussex’s second XI teams while living in the UK with Clay Smith and his wife Nicole, who is Leverock’s godmother.Leverock could be involved in Surrey’s upcoming fixture against Somerset in Cardiff, where they will play a three-day game and a 50-over match.Hemp, who helped facilitate Leverock’s trials, believes the youngster could have a bright future in the English game if he shows the right attitude and a willingness to learn.Casting their eye over the PHC all-rounder will be former ex-England Test spinner Ian Salisbury, who is in charge of Surrey’s side, and Mark Davis, who coaches Sussex’s second XI.“It’s a great opportunity for him to come out and here and gain first-hand knowledge on how the players at the top level play,” said Hemp.“I’m not sure if he will get into the three-day game, but I’m led to believe he will get a chance in the one-day game so it’s looking good for him.“He’s a young player and if he keeps his head down and does what’s asked of him he could have a bright future. The most important thing is that he enjoys the experience and actually learns from the things he will see out there.“The professional arena is much different from cricket locally and if he can apply himself, then he can have a good future wherever he goes.“Counties are usually pretty good with these sorts of things, the season is long out here and this is the time of year that teams start sorting out their roster for next year and are always looking for youngsters to cast their eye over.“Sussex and Surrey are both close to where he will be located and I put out a call to those I know in the area and now he has the chance to showcase his talent.”The newly appointed PHC skipper has had a summer to remember: he claimed four wickets in Bermuda’s tour for the ICC Americas Division T20 Championships and was then named in Somerset’s Cup Match team as a colt, carrying on a family legacy one year after his uncle Dwayne Leverock retired from the Classic.Although he is yet to fully test himself against professional opposition, Leverock could be the catalyst for more young cricketers to head to England.“It’s important for any young player to get out and get as much experience as you can, however, there are some things that have to be taken into account like the absence of familiar things like family and so forth, but these things can get sorted out,” said Hemp.“Things like this build character as well as give you a chance to play in different conditions, against different opposition and this is when you find your game and learn different ways on how to construct an innings, how to bowl well in certain conditions, things that will allow you to be better as they get older.“If things don’t work out for him it’s not the end of the world, he still has national team cricket and would have gained experience that will help him in the years to come.”