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Kamau Leverock on both sides of the Cup Match divide

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Kamau Leverock was the pick of Somerset’s bowlers after returning from loan spell (photograph by Ras Mykkal) June 7, 2024
Up against international opponents: Somerset face Americas Select in a 40-over contest on Sunday (Photograph by Blaire Simmons)

A few days before he leaves for India to play in the Legends League Cricket, Kamau Leverock will be involved in back-to-back action for St George’s and Somerset this weekend.

The swashbuckling all-rounder has been picked by both Cup Match rivals for their matches against the touring Americas Select. Last month, he was snapped up by the Gujarat franchise for the LLC, which starts next Friday.

On Saturday, the 29-year-old left-hander will be in T20 action for St George’s at Wellington Oval, less than 24 hours before competing for Somerset.

Leverock is part of a strong Clay Smith side, alongside Onias Bascome, Jonté Smith, Zeko Burgess, Marcus Scotland, Macai Simmons, Q'Shai Darrell, Abdul Salam, Nzari Paynter, Brian Hall and Shakai Darrell.

Somerset, who clash with the visitors in a 40-over contest, have selected Leverock together with Dominic Sabir, Isaiah Richardson, Jermal Proctor, Steven Bremar, Nirobi Smith-Mills, Dalin Richardson, Antonio Darrell, Sharye Tavares, Dean Simons and Kwasi James.

Leverock should have an idea of what to expect when he takes to the crease over the two days. He spent time watching his former Bermuda team-mates having trouble scoring runs against the Americas Select bowlers, in particular the spinners on North Field.

St George’s celebrating a wicket against Somerset (Photograph by Blaire Simmons)

Smith indicated that they picked Leverock purely for his batting, as St George’s have enough bowlers to get the job done.

“He’s coming in just for his batting, we have plenty of bowlers,’’ the St George’s coach said. “He’s coming to add some batting strength to our team, that’s all.

“We have invited him to play for us because we’re short of players. He was keen to play against decent opposition to keep himself sharp before he leaves for India. He didn’t even need to come to our training session, he’s played enough cricket, we know that he’s up and ready for it.”

St George’s have been struggling for form over the last few weeks, suffering back-to-back losses in the Athene T20 last weekend. Smith attributed the lack of numbers to players planning away trips during what they believed were dates for the Bermuda Premier League, which was replaced by the Americas Select tour this year.

“When the schedule came out, this was supposed to be the BPL week, so a lot of my players built their travel plans around the BPL,’’ he said.

“We've had players off the island for the last two weeks, and they've just come back. With that and a few injuries, we’ve had to make do with the players that we have.

“Us being St George’s, we found 11 players every week. We could have forfeited but that’s not in our nature. We played with the players that we had, win or lose.

“The majority of the players are back on island. Sinclair Smith did come back last week from injury, but he’s not 100 percent fit so he’s not going to play.

“Oronde Bascome is out for the remainder of the season, so we've had to bring in a couple of players to strengthen our team. We have done this to make sure we provide good opposition for these guys.

“For us, it’s more or less technically an extra training session. We’re getting ready for the semi-finals and finals of the Athene T20, so for most of my players it’s like getting some match practice and keeping sharp.

“We’re obviously going to go out there and try to win the match. Regardless of what team we put forward, we’re looking to give the opposition good competition.

“The North Field track has always taken a lot of spin. Wellington Oval is a different pitch, the wicket down there doesn't turn as much.

“Our field is much smaller, that works in our favour against the spinners. We just want to make a good account of ourselves and give it a really good go, and try to win the match.”

Jeff Richardson, the Somerset coach, spoke of the difficulties of trying to field their Cup Match team at this stage of the season. Sabir, Proctor, Leverock, Bremar, and reserve Antonio Darrell are the only players who were part of the West End side for this year’s Annual Classic.

“The challenge is that this was not on the original schedule for the season,” Richardson said.

“This was supposed to be the week for the BPL, so a lot of guys are unavailable as a result of that.

“We were still able to put together a team, and I expect the players we have selected to put in a decent performance.

“The team that we have put together has seasoned players, guys who are capable of delivering.

“I haven't had a chance to see the opposition, but I understand they’re not too bad. Our track offers some turn, how much it turns, I couldn't say at this point, it depends on how much grass is left on the wicket.”

Fixtures

Americas Select v St George’s, Wellington Oval, Saturday 2.30pm

Americas Select v Somerset Cup Match XI, Somerset Cricket Club, Sunday noon

St George’s and Somerset teams to play Americas Select

St George’s

Onias Bascome (captain)

Zeko Burgess (vice-captain)

Marcus Scotland

Jonté Smith

Macai Simmons

Q'Shai Darrell

Abdul Salam

Nzari Paynter

Brian Hall

Shakai Darrell

Kamau Leverock

Head coach – Clay Smith

Somerset

Dominic Sabir

Isaiah Richardson

Jermal Proctor

Kamau Leverock

Steven Bremar Jr

Nirobi Smith-Mills

Dalin Richardson

Antonio Darrell

Sharye Tavares

Dean Simons

Kwasi James

Head coach- Jeff Richardson

Assistant coach- Janeiro Tucker

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Published September 14, 2024 at 8:01 am (Updated September 14, 2024 at 8:01 am)

Kamau Leverock on both sides of the Cup Match divide

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