“It’s A Huge Bonus For Us To Have Him”
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Kamau Leverock’s return to English side Handsworth Cricket Club has been heralded as the “Second Coming” with the Bermuda all-rounder confident of carrying his stellar form into the new season.
Leverock emerged as Bermuda’s star performer at the Men’s ICC T20 World Cup Americas Sub-Regional Qualifier in Buenos Aires, Argentina, last month, helping the island advance to the final qualifier on home soil later this year.
The 28-year-old, who became the first Bermudian to score a T20 century, hitting 103 against Panama, believes he is a far more accomplished player than when he previously played for Handsworth several years ago.
He will join fellow Bermuda leg-spin bowler, Cameron Jeffers, in the Birmingham-based outfit’s first-team squad.
“I had a pretty good season with Handsworth four or five years ago,” Leverock told Bernews. “I’m more mature now and should be able to help more.
“I like to play under a bit of pressure. It helps me focus a bit more. There are many good players in this league. You can’t just expect to score runs and take wickets.
“There’s a lot of former professionals playing in this league. It will be good to challenge myself.”
Leverock’s capture is a major coup for Handsworth, who gained promotion to the Warwickshire League Premier Division after finishing second in Division One last season.
He joins a heavy Bermudian contingent at the club, including Dennis Zuill, the vice-chairman and Third XI coach; Justin Dembrook, the head groundsman and Third XI captain; Leslie Ann Rochester, the assistant secretary and youth secretary; Gregg Foggo, the youth coach and Third XI team vice-captain; and Oyinde Bascome, a Second XI all-rounder.
Oyinde’s father, Herbie Bascome, the former Bermuda coach, forged the link between Handsworth and the island several years ago, spending two successful seasons as the First XI coach.
“It feels like a family club with a definite Bermudian flavour to it,” Leverock said. “Dennis [Zuill] and I often talk about how to get more Bermudians playing out here.
“Bermudians are effectively UK citizens, so we can come out here and play immediately, and not as overseas players. It’s a relationship we can look to exploit.”
Leverock hopes for a run-laden season for Handsworth before returning to Bermuda for the regional final, where they must finish top of a group of Canada, Cayman Islands and Panama to advance to the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and United States next summer.
“It’s going to take a lot of dedication from the players to reach the World Cup,” said Leverock, who also plays for the T20 franchise, Florida Scorpions, in the US.
“I have the opportunity to play cricket every day out here. The guys at home will have to make a lot of sacrifices to do that.
“Hopefully, the majority of them are willing to make those sacrifices. There’s a lot of belief in the team that we can make it. Hopefully, I can have a strong season at Handsworth and hit the ground running with Bermuda.”
Handsworth chairman Recordo Gordon, a former Warwickshire seam bowler, said Leverock is a perfect fit for the club, given their proud West Indian heritage, and believes he can help inspire their youth players, including several Bermudians.
“This is Kamau’s second coming,” said Gordon, who plays for the First XI. “He has a wealth of experience and has been in great form recently.
“It’s a huge bonus for us to have him. As a club, having someone like Kamau can help us engage with the Caribbean youngsters in the community. He’s young and relevant, which is key.”
