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Talented young cricketer Machai Campbell was destined for big things before his life was tragically cut short in a bike accident yesterday.

The 19-year-old had been a part of Bermuda's Under-19 World Cup squad that travelled to Malaysia earlier this year.

And coach Arnold Manders, who also taught the youngster at Berkeley Institute, said he was on the fast track to the senior team.

Also a talented footballer, who played for Dandy Town, Campbell had put his soccer career on the back burner to concentrate on cricket.

But he was still a big part of the Hornets football programme, representing the team at every level. The Bermuda Football Association last night cancelled the scheduled Dudley Eve Cup games in tribute to the youngster.

Manders said he had been an all-round sportsman and a leader for the Under-19s.

He said the medium pace bowler and late order batsman had raw talent and had progressed in leaps and bounds since first picking up a cricket bat three years ago,

"He had a lot of talent. When he came to us, he'd just started playing cricket but he had a big heart and he was always willing to learn. That's how he progressed so fast.

"He was dedicated to his training and he worked really hard."

Campbell played a supporting role in the World Cup campaign in Malaysia but progressed to be one of the stars of the tournament when the Under-19s travelled to Barbados for the Sir Garfield Sobers tournament in the summer.

His performances earned him a call-up to the Bermuda A squad for the tour of Argentina earlier this month and he had been hoping to break into the full national team for the World Cup qualifiers in South Africa next year.

"He's going to be a big miss. He was one for the future. He learned quickly and he had the right attitude. He would have gone on to play for the senior team."

Manders said the teenager had also been influential off the pitch, mentoring the younger players in the team.

Scott Morton, who coached Machai as a football player at Dandy Town, said he had a similar presence on the football field, where his attitude and work ethic earned him respect from all his teammates.

Natural talent

He said he would have excelled at whatever sport he took on. "He was a starter for the senior team until he got called up to play cricket. He was a real sportsman.

"He had a lot of ambition and commitment. Whatever he took on he would have been a success."

Meanwhile the BFA issued a brief statement offering condolences to the family and to the Western Stars Sports Club and confirming that the Dudley Eve games scheduled for last night had been cancelled.

The matches between Dandy Town and Cougars and Somerset Trojans and Somerset Eagles will now be played tomorrow at St. David's from midday. The finals will be held on Tuesday January 5 at Somerset Cricket Club.

In a brief statement Bermuda Cricket Board president Reg Pearman added: "I am saddened to hear of the tragic death of promising young cricketer and U19 National player, Machai Campbell. On behalf of the Board and the local cricket fraternity, I would like to express our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones."

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