Double delight for teenager

Whatever happens in the TCL Group West Indies Under-19 Cricket tournament, 18-year-old Leon Johnson will have something to remember.

His innings guided his team to an emphatic win over Barbados in the second round of matches. That game took place at Stubbs, a village with a rustic setting about eight miles north east of Capital City Kingstown. {{more}}

The Stubbs playing field, just off the coast, is sprayed by a constant Atlantic breeze.

It was a sort of advanced birthday gift for Johnson, who celebrated his 18th birthday two days after his batting heroics.

Quiet, soft-spoken Johnson was focussing on his innings against Trinidad and Tobago in the third round when the Searchlight sneaked up on him. He was down to bat at number four as his team began their reply to Trinidad and Tobago’s first innings.

A left hander from Georgetown Guyana, Johnson admitted his admiration for West Indies batting star Brian Lara.

Johnson also bowls leg spin. He was encouraged by friends and uncles to play the game, and their inspiration has paid off.

He had scores of 15 and 24 against Leewards, which Guyana also won to jump ahead in Group B.

This is Johnson’s second visit to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. His first was with a Cub pack in 1998.