Leverock On Bermuda Future, T20 And More
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Kamau Leverock, the Bermuda national team cricketer, admits his career is at a “crossroads” after missing out on a US Open T20 professional contract.
Leverock has been in devastating form with bat and ball and was named the Bermuda international player of the year at the recent Bermuda Cricket Board [BCB] annual awards.
Despite his superb displays at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Americas Regional Qualifier in October, where Bermuda fell just short of qualification, the Florida Scorpions, where Leverock has played for the past two years, decided against offering him a new contract.
The 29-year-old suspects T20 franchises have been discouraged by a lack of video footage of him playing internationally.
He also believes the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the United States this summer would have been the perfect platform to rejuvenate his pro career.
“Missing out [on a Scorpions] contract is hard to swallow,” Leverock told Bernews. “I believe it’s down to several issues. As bad as it sounds, some people don’t recognise Bermuda cricket internationally.
“Plus, the BCB either don’t see the need or have the funds for a video analyst when we play internationally.
“I’ve been asked for video [by T20 franchises] in the past few months, and I can’t provide it. It has hindered me tremendously.”
Leverock, named the tournament MVP at the T20 World Cup Americas Regional Qualifier, had expected to join up with Bermuda team-mate Delray Rawlins in the Scorpions squad, with the US Open T20 starting this month.
“Delray doesn’t need video footage as he has his reputation from playing English County Cricket,” said Leverock, who played for the Vancouver Knights in the Global T20 Canada in 2018.
“Sitting around waiting for an opportunity, especially at my age, is frustrating. The door is closing on me. It’s becoming more difficult for teams to take a punt on me.
“Qualifying for the T20 World Cup would have helped me tremendously. It felt like the final hurdle.”
Although Leverock has not ruled out playing for Bermuda in the ICC Cricket World Challenge League play-off in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in February and March, he concedes he is contemplating a break from the international game.
“I need to be selfish over the next year or two and get myself in a franchise league somewhere,” the former Bermuda captain added.
“If not, I’ll look to play some league cricket in England and get a job. At some point, you knock it on the head, play for fun, and get a job.
“I’m not fully closing the door to Bermuda in February, but I’m not jumping at the opportunity either.”
