White steadying the top of the order

Bermuda, meet William White.

The Cleveland County cricketer’s game has come on in leaps and bounds in Florida this week at the Under 19 Americas Division One Championship, where his temperament and determination at the top of the order hasn’t gone unnoticed by national coach David Moore.

The former West Indies coach said: “William White, to be honest, has been one of our unsung heroes. He’s tried to bat right through the innings, which is exactly what we want from our openers.

“He’s living in Canada and hasn’t had much opportunity to train in the wintertime. But from where I’m looking he’s really applied himself and tried his best to follow the team plans. He’s growing and getting taller and is also maturing as a cricketer and has been really good.”

White is no stranger to the international cricket scene having also represented Bermuda at the Under 13 and Under 15 levels.

The 16 year-old right-hander possesses good technique essential to face the new ball and prefers to play each delivery on its merit rather than force the issue.

White can also hold his own with the wicketkeeper’s gloves behind the stumps and, should the need arise, be called upon to bowl seam. 

To further illustrate his versatility, the St. Andrew’s College student has also represented Bermuda in football at youth level.

But it is his skills with the cricket bat that Bermuda will rely upon heavily in today’s regional Under 19 World Cup qualifying crunch match with the U.S. in Fort Lauderdale.

On the line

Anything shy of a win against the Americans will effectively put paid to local hopes of progressing to July’s global Under 19 World Cup qualifiers in Ireland.

“We have to bring everything together or that’s it for us,” Moore said. “If we don’t win, the tournament is effectively over.”

A heavy loss to defending Under 19 Americas champions Canada earlier this week forced Bermuda on the back foot.

But an emphatic win against Bahamas breathed much needed life in Bermuda’s World Cup qualifying bid.

Perhaps most encouraging about the island’s lopsided win against Bahamas was the sight of Bermuda’s frontline batsmen executing the game plan.

Moore said: “We just wanted to make sure we got a good start and then go and try and score the runs as quickly as possible, which we did in 14.3 overs.

“From that point of view it was very encouraging.”

U.S. enter today’s clash with Bermuda unbeaten after three matches and fresh off an emphatic ten-wicket demolition of the Cayman Islands.

The Americans have been nothing shy of ruthless in pursuit of regional supremacy, having also plundered 319 for five in a massive 285 run win over Argentina.

Moore said: “They are obviously a very good team. Our team is predominately Under 17 players and USA have predominately Under 19 players, so they are a very mature and experienced team.

“We are going to have to certainly be at our best to match up with them and beat them if we can.”