---

Like all good spin bowlers Dwayne "Sluggo' Leverock has got a bewildering bag of tricks in his armoury. An arm-ball, a Chinaman, maybe even a doorsa.

But few would expect him to be able to pull off a step-over, a back-heel or a Cruyff turn.

The big-spinner reckons he can still leave defenders as bamboozled as the batsmen who regularly fall victim to his deadly bowling.

And he believes he will have plenty of opportunity to practice his goal celebrations when the national cricket team take on the national football team in a double challenge: one football match, one cricket match.

No date has been set for the match-up, which was prompted by a challenge from BFA president Larry Mussenden when he witnessed the cricketers warming up by playing a small-sided game of soccer. Leverock is confident of victory whenever the matches takes place.

"I think we are going to do one of each and try and raise some money for charity.

"They can forget about winning the cricket game but we've got some good soccer players. We always have a chance at football," said Leverock, who favours the small-sided ISL format.

The charismatic Police bowler has not played soccer seriously since around 2000.

But at his peak he was a deadly attacking midfield player for PHC and Dandy Town. "I've still got the skills, by far," he said. "I like to score goals and I've got tricks too."

Leverock isn't the only cricketer with a few soccer skills in his locker.

Skipper Irving Romaine used to play for North Village, fast bowler Ryan Steede has more hat-tricks for the St. George's soccer team than he has for the cricket outfit and Oronde Bascome, who is on a soccer scholarship in the U.S., is as sharp with the ball at his feet as he is with a bat in his hand.

Still national team defender Kevin Richards, who also plays for the Hogges and PHC, isn't too worried.

"I'd be pretty confident about winning at least one leg. The cricket is up in the air, but I think fitness could play a part when it comes to the football.

"I'm a little bit rusty in my wicket-keeping game but we'll have to see how it goes."

[[In-content Ad]]

---