Kamau: I've got big shoes to fill

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27: As one Cup Match era ends another begins for the Leverock family.

Dwayne ‘Sluggo’ Leverock, one of the true characters of the classic, called time on his illustrious career in Somerset after last year’s rain-affected stalemate.

He’ll be working during this year’s game as part of a police patrol on crowd control at Wellington Oval.

But the slot left open in the side by the big spinner’s retirement has been filled by his nephew — 16-year-old all-rounder Kamau Leverock.

The youngest member of the west end XI, Leverock jnr, was not even born when his uncle made his Cup Match bow in 1990.

He grew up watching his wicket taking exploits and dreaming of one day gracing the same hallowed turf.

“My earliest memories of Cup Match are running on the field to celebrate with my uncle when he got wickets or took catches.

“I always wanted to be out there playing. I’ve waited for this for a long time.”

Leverock jnr cites Sluggo, who helped him hone his skills as a youngster, as the greatest influence in his career.

“Every week he teaches me something new about the game. I’ll be talking to him all week working up to the game.”

Kamau’s mom Duan Leverock, Sluggo’s twin sister, said she was excited that the Leverock Somerset tradition was continuing.

“I’m a little sad that he is not going to get to play with his uncle, which is what I always wanted to see.

“But I’m confident he is going to go out there and do what he has got to do.

“Dwayne talks to him all the time about cricket and life, what he needs to do to be a good all-round player and person.

“He idolizes his uncle and he wants to do everything he has done in the game.”

Sluggo believes his nephew has the talent to go far in the game.

“He’s still very young and he has a way to go yet but his development is coming along.

“As long as he stays in the national programme and keeps learning I think he can do well.”

The two Leverocks are different style players. Kamau is an attacking batsman, first and foremost.

But Sluggo sees elements of himself in his nephew.

“I used to be a batsman before I was a bowler. He is actually quite similar to me when I was younger.”

If he can match Sluggo’s exploits both for Somerset and the national team, Bermuda will have unearthed another star.

“They are big shoes to fill,” admits the youngster.“But I think I can do it.”