Bermuda Under-19 cricketers Luke Horan and Isaiah O’Brien are making the most of a wonderful opportunity to broaden their cricket horizons at the inaugural Bermuda Premier League.

The promising all-rounders have been experiencing first-hand what it takes to compete at this level after being invited to be a part of the visiting Barbados team.

“It’s been a fun experience and it’s cool seeing how they go around things like their warm-ups, talks and stuff like that,” Horan told The Royal Gazette.

“The warm-ups are very intense and they are very focused.

“I think seeing how they go around the game will help me improve. It’s a different level out here seeing what I need to do if I want to reach the next level and and next season I will try and use a few things they taught me.”

The Warwick player admirers how the Barbados batters methodically go about accumulating their runs in the shorter T20 format.

“They attack in the powerplay and if they lose a few wickets they hold back,” Horan added.

“They know how many runs they need to score and when they need to score them. They like scoring shots, which they know they can score runs off. The way they think about the game is just different level.”

St David’s player O’Brien is delighted to have been given the chance to experience life with the team.

“It’s nice to see the difference in the level of cricket and the Barbados players really inspire me to become better,” he said.

“It’s a different level that they are at and most of these guys are in high teams in Barbados, which allowed them to come here.

“Everybody is having fun at lunch, at breakfast or on the bus ride, but as soon as we get off the bus everybody switches on knowing it’s game time and they’re coming to win.”

O’Brien is particularly grateful for the wonderful opportunity to enhance his bowling skills.

“It’s good to be here bowling and getting some pointers from the coach to improve my pace and my action so I can become a better bowler,” he added. “I was glad to get this opportunity so I can improve.”

Former Barbados off spinner and West Indies assistant coach Henderson Springer is thrilled to have the local youngsters under his wing.

“First of all I am grateful to have them and it was an opportunity for them to learn how a team like us operate on match day,” he said. “On match day they are learning some stuff and I think it’s a good environment for any young person to be in.”

Springer has admired the pair’s dedication, willingness to learn and enormous passion for the sport.

“They have been good boys and you can see that they are into cricket,” he added. “They are into it and if they had on blue or yellow shirts you would not know who they are.

“It’s good and this is something that should be a staple when international or national teams come.”

Horan and O’Brien represented Bermuda at last month’s ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Americas Qualifier in Canada and were originally included in the Bermuda Select XI also taking part in the tournament.

National coach Niraj Odedra is impressed by the level of commitment and enthusiasm the pair have demonstrated.

“Luke is totally dedicated to cricket and same with O’Brien,” he added. “Their dedication is amazing.

“They are here all the time, they’re staying with the team and I hope they are learning a lot as well.

“That’s what you want when you’re staying with a team and Barbados, I think out of all the teams we have here right now, is one of the strongest teams and if they are staying with that team they will learn more about team culture.

“Forget about winning or losing. They will learn more from these guys about what it takes to be a good team member and what team culture they need to follow.”