One can just imagine Allison Leverock’s excitement the moment grandson Kamau Leverock dismissed Delray Rawlins for 21 on the opening day of the three-day friendly match between Sussex and Cardiff MCCU at the 1st Central County Ground in Hove.

Several Bermudians, including Leverock’s mom Duan as well as his aforementioned grandmother, were at the ground to watch the showdown between two of Bermuda’s most promising young cricketers.

Jonté Smith, who is a professional footballer living in the area, was there, as well as former cricketer Cleon Scotland, who submitted the above photograph to The Royal Gazette.

Leverock, bowling down the slope, was the pick of the Cardiff bowlers, with three for 57 from 16 overs, including the prized wicket of Rawlins in the afternoon session to make it 137 for four. Rawlins edged a catch to the wicketkeeper when attempting to pull a short delivery off paceman Leverock.

“Kamau bowled a consistent line outside Delray’s off stump and to his credit he was very watchful and left a lot trying to wear Kamau down as it was a hot day by UK standards,” said Scotland who now lives in England where his son Marcus is also a promising young cricketer.

“The dismissal itself wasn’t a typical caught behind outside edge. Kamau bowled one just a bit back of a length and Delray got an under-edge as he attempted a pull through mid-wicket. The ball flew through to the keeper.

“There was very little by-play between them both other than one bouncer that Kamau bowled earlier and once when Delray pulled out of his stance when Kamau started his run up and had to abort his run.

“My view was that they were both determined not to let the other one dominate. Delray was visibly annoyed when he was dismissed, but to be fair I’ve never seen him bat before so I could not say it was especially because Kamau got him.”

Scotland added: “All in all very proud to witness two young Bermudians competing against each other on a major sports ground in England. Bermuda and especially cricket-loving Bermudians should be very proud.

“Duan Leverock and Allison Leverock were also at the game. I saw Jonté Smith and three other young Bermudians I did not know. I was there with my wife, daughter, son and Jarryd Richardson, Dwayne’s 13-year-old son.”

Sussex, 117 for two at lunch, moved along to 240 for five as Laurie Evans and Michael Burgess helped them recover from 142 for five.

Evans stuck 84 in Hove as Sussex reached 317 for eight before calling time on their innings to have 30 minutes to bowl at the students who replied with 7 for one at stumps. They lost opener Matthew Norris without scoring to a fine delivery from Jofra Archer which was edged to wicketkeeper Burgess.

Earlier, the 29-year-old Evans, a winter signing from Warwickshire, hit eight fours and a six in his two-and-a-half hours at the crease after Sussex won the toss and elected to bat.

Chris Nash and Harry Finch put on 74 for the first wicket, the biggest stand of the day until Evans was joined by Burgess who made 46 in a sixth wicket stand of 102.

Before the start of play, both teams observed a minute’s silence to mark the memory of Matthew Hobden, who represented both teams.