By most accounts Saturday’s Western Counties Cricket Association All-Star match was a raging success and as a result Bermuda Cricket Board cricket chairman Steven Douglas has promised to include the event on the 2024 domestic calendar.

The brainchild of WCCA president Teresa Burrows proved an entertaining showcase, displaying several of the Island’s emerging young talent with a few senior players sprinkled in to offer useful guidance.

The match proved a worthy addition to this year’s schedule, which ironically came as a result of the WCCA losing one of its members.

“The whole idea came as a result of PHC dropping out, which gave us an extra county day,” explained Burrows.

“So we asked what we could do to make this day happen instead of giving it up to just a regular day of cricket?

“We tried a few other things that did not work and I decided to gather the Eastern Counties and Western Counties, mix it up and have two selects to showcase all the talent that we have in these two counties.

“The youngsters do not always get to play in county games. They may get picked, but they don’t always get to actually play, so we used a format whereby we had 16 players on each team, but everyone got a chance to play and be showcased in some way, whether it be as a bowler or as a batter.

“The decision was made to pull both counties together, have some camaraderie and do something that would better both counties and better cricket on the island in general.”

Burrows could not have found a more willing partner than the Eastern Counties Cricket Association, which was also anxious to provide an opportunity for its younger players to demonstrate their wares.

“We got the request at a time when we were actually fighting with our Junior Counties not having a showcase for our youngsters,” said ECCA vice-president Terry-Lynn Paynter.

“Because of the rain dates we had a difficult time this year with Junior Counties, so when this came along we met with our committee and decided to showcase some of the youngsters and added some of the senior players just to guide them along.

“We specified to them that this is for the youngsters to showcase their talent. In speaking with the Western Counties we both agreed on the format, so it’s been about showcasing the youngsters and the turnout has been amazing.”

WCCA vice-president Kian Butterfield, who plays for Warwick, likewise chimed in with praise for the affair.

Butterfield said: “First of all we are indebted to our sponsors, who helped to make this whole thing possible in terms of funding and various provisions, so we have to give credit to the likes of BGA, Butterfield and Vallis, Barritt’s, Legends Bar & Lounge, Gosling’s, Burrows & Lightbourne, Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation, TNT Scorers and 80 Graphics.

“People can see that the Western Counties has the talent. It’s shown through Cup Match but also here and this event is an ideal platform by which we can introduce and showcase the emerging players that we can continue to grow and promote.

“Overall it’s been a great series. Last year was a good stepping stone after Covid and we were able to get back into it and we’ve been building ever since.”

Often not as well regarded than its eastern counterpart, the Western Counties competition has rebounded in a major way this year, drawing an increased amount of spectators to further enhance the atmosphere and appeal.

Burrows, a 41-year-old mother of one and an area resident, took over the WCCA presidency in 2021 upon witnessing a steady decline and vowed to make it her mission to restore its greatness.

“I got involved because my uncle, Gary Dowling, used to be the president and he would ask me to come out and help to dip up food,” said Burrows, whose mother, Candace, is WCCA treasurer.

“I always hung around White Hill Club, because it was my club and my neighbourhood, and then I started to help out in the club.

“My uncle continued to encourage me to get involved, so I stepped in and played a role for a while before going away to school.

“I didn't get involved right away after I came back, but then I saw the Western Counties dwindling and I decided to get back involved and found myself moving up the ladder.

“My president nominated me one night and I became the president and here I am. I made a promise to myself that I did not want to see this thing go down.

“When I became president I was determined to fight to keep this thing alive.”