Brazilian cricketer Luiz Muller has become the first member of the Americas Select XI to arrive in Bermuda for next week’s tour matches against Bermuda, St George’s and Somerset.

Muller, who landed on the island last week, will be one of the 12 Americas Select players, with others coming from Argentina, Bahamas, Canada, Falkland Islands and the United States. Mahesh Hatkar, an Indian coach who is on the island through funding from the Department of Sport and Recreation, will be in charge of the Americas side.

Americas Select are taking on Bermuda in T20 matches at North Field, National Sports Centre on Wednesday and Thursday. Both matches are scheduled for 3.30pm.

On Saturday, the tourists square off against St George’s in their third T20 encounter at Wellington Oval, with the match to start at 2.30pm. Americas Select finish their tour against Somerset’s Cup team, when the two sides clash in a 40-over encounter at Somerset, starting at midday.

The 19-year-old Muller, a middle-order batter and leg spin bowler, is delighted to be part of a team made up of various nationalities. He will look to use the opportunity to prepare for next month’s South American Championships, to be held in his home country.

“I’m so excited because I’ll be part of a team with players of different levels and different cultures,’’ Muller said.

“I’m one of the best players in South America, that’s why they selected me. I’m here to improve my cricket and I’ll use the time here to prove myself.

“I have been playing for the Brazilian men’s team from when I was 16-years-old.”

Muller is counting on his all-round exploits to win matches for the Americas Select and create long-lasting relationships with his team-mates.

“I’m one of the batters for the team, I hope I play well and have a lot of friendships,’’ he said. “I want to take some wickets and bat well.”

Coming to Bermuda has become a dream come true for the young cricketer. Not only is his first trip to the island, but it also happens to be his maiden voyage outside South America.

“I knew about this opportunity about five months ago,” Muller said.

“I didn’t believe it the first time I was told. It’s my first time in Bermuda and my first time outside South America too.”

Muller comes from Poços de Caldas, the Brazilian city where more young people play cricket than football, the nation’s national sport.

“Poços de Caldas is the city of cricket in Brazil,’’ he said. “We have a lot of children playing the sport, and there are a of development projects happening there.

“A lot of cricketers started off from the city and got selected to play for Brazil.”

Since his arrival in Bermuda, Muller has been having training sessions with Hatkar. He also got to watch Saturday’s Eastern Counties Cup final, between Bailey’s Bay and Flatts at Lord’s in St David’s.

“We don’t have such big crowds in Brazil,’’ Muller added. “We usually have young children we coach cricket watching us when we play, but it’s not like here. There were so many people watching this match and I really liked that.

“I’ve been training with coach Mahesh Hatkar since I arrived in Bermuda. He’ll be coaching our team and that’s going to be really nice working with him.”