Promising cricketer Marcus Johnson has backed away from the chance of a lifetime and is due to return home early from studies at the University of Trinidad and Tobago's Academy of Sport and Leisure High Performance Unit.

The 17-year-old Somerset spinner had been the first Bermudian cricketer to be given the opportunity to train at an academy which has spawned the likes of West Indies all-rounders Keiron Pollard and Rayad Emrit.

Johnson arrived in the Caribbean last Thursday and was due to begin a four-year course today at the esteemed facility under the direction of former West Indies batsman Larry Gomes and fast bowler Tony Gray.

However, the teenager has had a change of heart and is now heading back home after spending just four-days in Trinidad.

"Marcus wanted to come back home and to be honest I don't think he made his mind up properly before arriving here.

"He's not sure what he wants and his parents (Mitchell and Brenda Johnson) are adamant that he come back home," an Academy spokesperson told The Royal Gazette.

"We are very disappointed this young man has decided to leave because we went through a lot to get him here.

"We are going to put him on the first flight tomorrow (today) and will have to find someone else to replace him at the Academy."

Prior to arriving in the Caribbean last week much had been riding on Johnson's shoulders with national coach Gus Logie optimistic the youngster would form the benchmark for others to follow.

"Marcus is a pioneer in this effort. Obviously Marcus will be the benchmark and certainly what he does will influence if this relationship continues," Logie said.

"I think it is an exciting time to be a young cricketer in Bermuda; to take opportunities given to them by Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) to be able to excel in many areas.

"The opportunity is there for him to play against some of the other universities and to tour other countries with the university.

"Many of the young players (from the University of Trinidad and Tobago) have gone on to play for the national team and the Stanford Masters team.

"The hope, of course, is that Marcus can use this to break into the national team (Bermuda), but we just want him to grab this opportunity with both hands and go from there."

Johnson had departed for Trinidad determined to put his best foot forward.

"I just want to go down there and do the best I can and show that Bermuda has talented children that can keep up with the world," he said.

"I want to show that we (Bermudians) can compete at the higher level of international cricket and not, like some people say, that Bermuda is at the lower level of international cricket.

"There isn't that much difference between our cricket and theirs. I probably have to step it up a notch to keep up with them. I'm just going to do my best and the rest will come later."