'A batsman's paradise'

A new star was born during this year’s Cup Match at Somerset Cricket Club.

His name is Deunte Darrell.

The 17-year-old early order batsman became one of the youngest players to win the coveted MVP Award after thumping a game-high half-century (72) in Somerset’s first innings.

Darrell’s memorable 94-ball innings spanned 139 minutes and contained 11 fours and a six.

He took only 78 minutes to reach his maiden Cup Match half-century, which arrived in the 23rd over off 53 balls, and featured in fruitful partnerships of 48 and 54 for the third and seventh wickets with Stephen Outerbridge (19) and Malachi Jones (57).

The Willow Cuts player, who survived difficult chances off the bat at long off and forward short leg, said he felt confident from the first ball he faced in batsmen friendly conditions.

“It was definitely a batsman’s paradise… the wicket played true,” he added.

Though delighted to reach the milestone, Darrell felt he could have gone on to even bigger and better things.

“I thought I batted well, but it could’ve been better,” he said. “I could have stayed till the end and made a hundred.

“But it was still great to score a first Cup Match half-century. Words really can’t explain how it felt to score a first Cup Match half–century — it was a very exciting experience.”

The gifted teen batted with a maturity belying his age, dispatching any delivery pitched wide or full to the fence with consummate ease.

“I thought Deunte mixed aggression with patience to dig Somerset out of a hole,” commented former Somerset Cup Match and Bermuda skipper Albert Steede. “He batted well beyond his years…it was a good innings.”

National cricket coach David Moore has big plans in store for Darrell at the senior level.

He said: “He’s certainly on the radar, there’s no doubt about that. Obviously he’s a player for the future. He’s a developing cricketer who we have our eye on and we will wait to see how he performs on a consistent basis.”

Darrell was fortunate to come away with only a bruised forearm after being struck at the non-striker’s end by a full-bloodied blast off the bat of skipper Jacobi Robinson.