The Leeward Islands last tasted success at the regional level in 2011 when they shared the 50-Over title with Barbados after a tied match. Since then, the team, once a dominant force in West Indies cricket, has been starved for silverware. This time around, they hope to end the drought that has been ongoing for more than a decade.
In the CG United Super50 Cup which starts tomorrow, the Leewards will have to do without Justin Greaves and Alzarri Joseph. Greaves is currently in New Zealand with the West Indies, and Joseph is recovering from an injury that has kept him out of the team to India and New Zealand.
However, opener Mikyle Louis sees the unavailability of Greaves and Joseph as an opportunity for others to step up and make a meaningful contribution to the team.
“They are actually very big shoes to fill,” Louis said, yesterday.
The Test opener added, “Two of the finest players around the region. And it's unfortunate that we are missing them, but it's very fortunate for those who are playing for the West Indies. But I think this is a great opportunity for us, as the younger players, to step up now and accept some responsibility and carry the team on our backs.”
He admitted the mood in the Leeward Islands camp is a good one, with the players showing some good form in the domestic competition in the lead up to the squad selection.
“A lot of the players had a lot of great stand-up performances during that (Leewards Islands inter-island) tournament. And then we had a two-week camp in Antigua leading up to this tournament. And the preparation was really good. The fellows worked really hard.”
Louis, who played the last of his ten Tests for West Indies in June against Australia in Kingston, Jamaica, is not putting too much pressure on himself to get back in the regional team.
“I'm taking it day by day, step by step, and hopefully if all goes well, you know, I'll get back there eventually. But as I say, my plan right now is to just work as hard as possible, develop to the best of my abilities, and just see where that takes me.”
The Leeward Islands Hurricanes open against the Windward Islands Volcanoes at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, San Fernando tomorrow at 9 am.
