January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Govia faces ultimate test
Govia faces ultimate test
The 15-year-old, who has his final English exam at CedarBridge Academy yesterday, has now turned his attention to a different kind of test - pitting his wits against some of the best batsmen on the island.
Govia, who will be the first player to compete in the Colts Cup Match and regular Cup Match in the same year, admits he was surprised to see his name on the list of players pinned to the notice board at the St. George's clubhouse just after midnight on Saturday.
But he feels he has earned his place and is looking forward to the challenge.
"I was surprised to make the team at my age - I'm only 15-years-old," he said.
"I always watched Cup Match and was always thinking when am I going to play but I never thought it would be this soon in my life.
"But I'm confident and I'm up for it right now. I'm really excited I just can't wait till Cup Match starts."
The youngster has been playing for Bailey's Bay since he was eight and has been a regular in the senior team for the past few years.
But it was his performances for Bermuda's Under-18 team which really caught the eye of the selectors. He took 12 wickets against some of the best school-age cricketers in the Caribbean at the Sir Garfield Sobers tournament in Barbados, where he also showed his all-round talent with a top score of 46 with the bat.
"In the last few months I really have been playing well. I've been away with the Under-18s and I really did well and feel I deserved to be in the team."
Govia is aware that his selection ahead of more experienced campaigners like David 'Chick' Adams, who is one of the leading wicket-takers in the league, could attract some criticism.
But he says he has had nothing but positive feedback.
"The selectors had their meeting after the trial game on Saturday and I went back to the club around midnight to see if my name was on the board.
"As I was coming in the captain was coming down the stairs and he said 'congratulations, you're in'. I couldn't believe it.
"There were a lot of people there - a lot of the other players seeing if they were in the team and they were all congratulating me and giving me advice about the game.
"Everybody thought it was a good team that was picked for Cup Match - there were no sad faces from the guys that didn't get in.
"Everybody's really excited for me and they've just been giving me good advice about what to do ion the day."
Govia, who also hopes to break into the senior national team, said his ambitions for Cup Match were simple.
"I hope to relax and just really bowl positive, not worry about the fans and do my team proud."[[In-content Ad]]
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