With next month?s ICC Trophy assignment in Ireland just around the corner, Dwayne (Sluggo) Leverock couldn?t have picked a better time to shine with the ball.

By far the Premier Division?s most economical and consistent bowler, the veteran spinner has so far taken eight wickets at a cost of 159 runs from 79 overs and tossed down 27 maidens.

Leverock, who attended the Sir Lance Gibbs Spin Academy in Antigua in 2003, has been training with the Island?s ICC Trophy squad since last October.

?That?s where it basically all started,? the gentle giant pointed out this week. ?The work ethic Gus Logie (national coach) has asked us to put in and his knowledge of the game has made me sit up and pay attention.

?I am basically looking to be consistent and that?s going to be one of my roles during the ICC Trophy campaign. The wickets in Ireland are similar to the ones in England where they generally seam and offer a bit of turn.?

Having to play on a Southampton Oval batting strip that has traditionally favoured the seamers, Leverock has had to go the extra mile for his victims.

But this hasn?t bothered the charismatic figure in the least. In fact, it has added a new weapon to his bowling arsenal.

?I have worked very hard on my consistency where I can keep the runs down,? Leverock explained. ?I can bowl in tandem with another bowler. If I?m not getting any wickets then I keep the runs tied down while the other guy picks up all the wickets.?

Leverock has shed some 57 pounds over the past eight months training with Clay Smith?s national squad.

?That has also helped me tremendously. I now feel as though I can bowl for longer spells and concentrate for longer periods,? he added.

The former Western Stars leg-spinner is coming off a fine bowling performance against St.David?s over the weekend, returning match of figures of five for 70 off 39 overs including 11 maidens.

Four other ICC Trophy-bound players have taken more wickets than Leverock but not as economically ? Southampton Rangers team-mates Janeiro Tucker and Lionel Cann, Bailey?s Bay?s Ryan Steede and St.David?s? star all-rounder, Delyone Borden.

Tucker currently tops the Premier Division with 15 scalps to his credit while Cann, Steede and Borden have ten apiece.

?It feels good to be producing with the ball,? the Rangers skipper noted. ?At least if I fail with the bat then I can fall back on something else, or vice versa.?

Tucker enjoyed a six-wicket haul against St.George?s earlier this season, a performance only surpassed by St.David?s Arthur Pitcher jr who grabbed six for 26 for the Islanders against Social Club.

However, Bermuda?s three other attack bowlers, Saleem Mukuddem, Kevin Hurdle and Dennis Archer have not enjoyed the same success as their ICC Trophy colleagues.

Mukuddem has seven wickets to his credit ? four of which came in one match ? but the South African born all-rounder has struggled to post big numbers with the bat along with Stars team-mate Archer who has failed to get going in both departments.

Archer, whose selection for the national team was questioned by former national team all-rounder Noel Gibbons, currently has a top score of 16 and has taken just one scalp all season.

Hurdle, who has taken five wickets, is reportedly nursing a hamstring injury.

Bermuda depart for the UK on June 19 where they will play at least three warm-up games before travelling onto Ireland.