Kamau Leverock, the Bermuda all-rounder, is hoping to hone his skills at the MCC Cricket Academy at Lord’s, as he looks to achieve his long-term goal of turning professional.

The 19-year-old is in his final year at the Priory School in Sussex, while playing for Horsham Cricket Club, one of the strongest clubs in the South of England, who came third in the Sussex Premier League last season.

Leverock, who previously played for PHC and Devonshire Recreation Club, took 19 wickets at an average of 23.47, while scoring 200 runs at an average of 18.36 for Horsham.

The nephew of Dwayne Leverock, the former Bermuda left-arm slow bowler, Leverock has already attended coaching sessions at the academy, which provides coaching programmes for some of the world’s most promising youngsters.

“At the moment I’m playing for Horsham but I’m also trying to get into the MCC young cricketers programme, which is a start to earning a professional contract,” Leverock said. “Hopefully I do get accepted to join the academy. I’ve been to one session and they were really impressed. It would also be ideal given that they play during the week, so I will still be playing with Horsham on the weekends.”

Players aged 18 to 23 attend the academy, which was founded in the 1970s, and has produced some of the world’s finest cricketers, including Ian Botham, Phil Tufnell, both of England, and Australia’s Mark Waugh.

The scheme also prides itself in assisting cricketers from outside the Test playing nations to develop. Among recent graduates are Will Porterfield, of Warwickshire and Ireland, Kevin O’Brien, of Ireland, and Afghanistan pair Hamid Hassan and Mohammad Nabi.

Leverock, who is being advised by Phil Hudson, an ECB Level 4 coach and MCC batting consultant, has represented Somerset in two Cup Matches and is a former PHC youth team football player.

“The decision to try and go professional felt natural given the love I have for cricket,” he said. “I’ve always liked cricket more than football, so it was made easier by that factor as well.

“Right now, I’m getting guidance from MCC batting consultant Phil Hudson, who is also my one-on-one coach.”