Leverock Reflects On Cup Match Heroics
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Kamau Leverock has reflected on his greatest performance in Cup Match after scoring his maiden century in the annual classic to help Somerset secure victory over St George’s at Somerset Cricket Club.
The opening batter scored 153 runs in the first innings to lay the foundations for Somerset’s 227-run run triumph, extending their 12-year reign as Cup Match holders.
His aggressive knock came off just 76 deliveries, featuring 20 fours and six sixes, and fell just 33 runs short of Janeiro Tucker’s record score of 186 at the Wellington Oval in 2001.
“It’s always great to impact any game, but it’s always more special when you’re playing Cup Match because of the history and the whole occasion,” Leverock told Bernews.
“It’s been great to be part of this period of dominance for Somerset. I lost my first Cup Match – I’ve already experienced that feeling of losing [in 2011 at the Wellington Oval].”
When asked if he had thought about breaking the all-time scoring record, the 29-year-old left-hander responded: “I wasn’t too fussed about it. If I got there, I got there.”
Promoted to open the batting, Leverock was determined to capitalise on his opportunity.
“I haven’t previously had an opportunity to really bat for a long time,” said Leverock, whose previous best score in Cup Match was 43 as a colt in 2011.
“Usually, I’ve been coming in and been required to push the score so we could declare. It was nice to be able to get into my innings.
“We knew we had to score big on the first day because the pitch would dry up.
“We gave our spinners [Dion Stovell and Derrick Brangman] a chance to bowl them out.”
Leverock’s record-breaking first-wicket partnership of 155 with Somerset’s new captain, Terryn Fray, set a new benchmark in Cup Match history, surpassing the previous best held by Fray and Chris Douglas.
Their partnership set the tone for the remainder of the match, with the more measured Fray scoring 51 in the first innings and 48 in the second.
“We complement each other well, rotate the strike, and he helps keep me in my groove,” said Leverock, who will spend the remainder of the summer playing for Somerset in the T20 competition and Flatts Victoria in the Eastern Counties.
