Bell bowls fans over on eastern counties debut

Colt Damali Bell made a dream start to his eastern counties career at Sea Breeze Oval last Saturday.

The teenage all-rounder was presented with the enormous responsibility of opening the bowling for cup holders Cleveland County with skipper Dennis Musson Jr.

He proved more than equal to the task, claiming four wickets for 40 runs from 14 overs that included four maidens with the new ball on his eastern counties debut.

It was a performance that surpassed the promising cricketer’s expectations.

Nervous

He said: “I really didn’t think I was going to come out and get four wickets.

“I was a bit nervous before the game but when I started getting wickets I began to get into a groove with the encouragement of my teammates.”

Had it not been for clumsy fielding off his own bowling, Bell could have joined an exclusive list of bowlers to take five ­wickets on their eastern counties debut.

“I don’t know what happened. I just lost the ball and it popped out,” the teenager smiled.

Cleveland skipper Musson described Bell’s performance with the new ball as “unbelievable”.

He added: “I have never seen a colt come out and perform like that — it was unbelievable and beautiful to watch. Unfortunately he didn’t get the five-wicket haul but four wickets is enough for a colt.” Bell was one of five colts in the match.

Pipping the teenaged cricketer for MVP honours was Flatts’ Dwayne ‘Sluggo’ Leverock, who grafted 43 runs and claimed three wickets for 18 runs from 17.4 overs that included seven maidens.

Saturday’s match ended in a tame draw after stumps were drawn at 7:20pm, with Cleveland requiring 16 runs from 30 balls for victory and plenty of daylight to spare.

Flatts declared their innings at 200 for nine shortly before tea.

Cleveland were wobbling at 185 for eight when the curtains came down on the match, depriving those around the ground of what promised to be an enthralling finale.

Training

Cleveland — who were declared champions after ­previous cup holders St. David’s withdrew from this year’s series in protest — will face Bailey’s Bay in the final round at Sea Breeze Oval.

Skipper Musson reckons his team will be more than up for the challenge.

He said: “We are going back to the training ground and we will be ready for Bay when we come back to Bay.”

Musson also extended a second invite to England-based player David Hemp to join the ambitious squad.

The Bermuda skipper had to decline an offer to play for Cleveland ­earlier this summer due to conflicting commitments with Birmingham Premier League side Knowle and Dorridge Cricket Club.

“He is eligible and so he is invited to play,” Musson said.