Darren Sammy has paved the way and set the trends for others to follow by being captain and setting a few records during his career. We’ve seen Johnson Charles break through to the West Indies Senior team and have a great run in the side. How much longer til another one of our country men steps up to the fray? If all goes well it may not be too long, as we possess some keen young prospects; prospects such as Johnnel Eugene.
Fourteen year old Johnnel Denzel Kimo Eugene is a form three student of the Sir Ira Simmons Secondary School. Son of top batsman John Eugene, the youngster definitely possesses the talent and skill to go one step further than his ‘old man’.
At what age did you begin playing cricket?
JDE: I started playing cricket at the age of seven. My family lived in Saint Martin at the time and there my father introduced me to Kiddies Cricket, and from then on I continued with my cricket.
How much of an influence would you say your dad has had on you as a young cricketer?
JDE: Well my dad has been influencing me my whole life. He’s my personal coach. When things go wrong he tells me what to do; he is my role model.
Which teams have you played for so far?
JDE: I play cricket for St Lucia Under15 (U15) , Windwards U15, local clubs like La Feuille, and also the John Eugene Cricket Academy.
I made the Saint Lucia U15 side when I was in grade 6 at the age of 12. I played as an off spinner at the time and a middle order batsman batting at number 6. At age 13, I made my secondary school cricket side from form one, where I played for both the U15 and U19 sides that same year.
What are some of your best performances?
JDE: Some of my best scores are 135 (not out), 79 and 58 at Windwards Tournaments, 104n.o, 60, 56 for the Saint Lucia U15 side and 76 at secondary school level.
What are your future plans?
JDE: My plan is to perform well at the CSEC examinations, I would like to move on to A-Level and probably after that better my cricket so that I may be eligible for a call up to the West Indies side. Later on in life I would probably like to be a cricket coach or an occupation which would be associated with cricket and sport on the whole.
Some of Johnnel’s accomplishments include: Captain of the Saint Lucia U15 team and Vice-captain of the Windwards U15 team. MVP at the Windward Islands U15 Tournament 2013 and 2014; Top scorer and best catcher (held the most catches) at Windwards 2014.
Represented the Windward Islands in the West Indies U15 Tournament; scored the most runs and was awarded the best batsman; best Overall Cricketer at the Sandals Academy 2013.
