Mikyle Louis, who was Cockermouth’s overseas amateur in 2022, will be back in England next month with the West Indies touring team.
Louis has had a meteoric rise through the ranks and will be a member of Kraigg Brathwaite’s 15-strong squad set to play three Test matches and a series of one-day games in England during the summer.
The 23-year-old from St. Kitts came to Sandair when Cockermouth were denied a professional two years ago because of an administrative oversight.
He has been spotted by the West Indian selectors before then, however, making his debut for their Under-19s side when he was just 16. He proved to be a popular member of the Cockermouth side that year, a big-hitting right hand bat.
Gareth White, a Cockermouth opener who played alongside Louis that season, says that all the club is delighted with his selection.
“He has a great family back home in St Kitts and Nevis and his mum used to send the club messages thanking us for looking after her boy.
“Mikyle showed talent with the bat and he played some important innings for us. He had a great temperament and he was also a good fielder and a handy bowler.
“We would have loved to get him back in 2023 but Home Office rules stopped it, which is disappointing.
“Having him as an overseas amateur in 2022 is a perfect example of why the ridiculously stringent guidance around allowing young players the opportunity to broaden their horizons and play in the UK invaluable – not only for their game but the life experience.
“Since going back to the West Indies Mikyle has worked really hard on his game and is true testament to how dedication, commitment and belief pays off in the end ads his performances in domestic cricket have earned him this opportunity.
“Everybody at Cockermouth cricket club is delighted and the lads are already planning a trip down to Edgbaston where hopefully they can catch up with the big man once again.”
Louis is the only uncapped player in the touring squad and his selection has caused a stir on St Kitt’s.
His selection marks an historic moment as Louis’ debut in the upcoming test series against England will be the first time a player from St Kitts has made it to the Senior West Indies side.
While Nevis has had several representatives in the West Indies senior side, this marks the first time there is a representative from the sister island of St Kitts.
He clinched his selection after smashing centuries in consecutive innings at his home ground in Warner Park in the recently concluded West Indies First Class Tournament.
His selection follows a swashbuckling performance in his maiden West Indies First Class tournament, while playing for the Leeward Islands Hurricanes.
Over 14 innings, he accumulated 682 runs at an average of 48.71. His impressive run tally included three centuries, with two of those centuries coming in a single match at his home ground, Warner Park, early in the tournament.
Additionally, Louis was one of only three players to score four or more half-centuries, further underscoring his consistency and skill.
The first Test is on July 10 at Lord’s with a warm-up match a week earlier against a County Select XI.
