Darren Sammy, barely out of his teens and in his second summer as an MCC Young Cricketer, has recently had his childhood dream come true.
When the St. Lucian all-rounder flew from his summer base in Hampstead, north-west London to Belfast he joined the West Indies senior squad for the first time. {{more}}
âI had always dreamed of playing with Brian Lara ever since I was a little boy and now I can have that dream come true,â he tells BBC Sport.
âIt really is a wonderful thing being in the same squad as Brian Charles Lara.â
He had a chance with bat and ball in both matches against Ireland, taking 1-28 in seven overs in the match the West Indies won.
He may even make the West Indiesâ starting line-up for their first match in the series on Saturday against New Zealand.
Even if he does not, he should be encouraged by the West Indies Cricket Boardâs radical youth policy over the past four or five seasons.
And all being well, he is set to become the first St. Lucian to play international cricket.
Facebook