Two years ago Mikyle Louis was playing club cricket for Cockermouth being watched by Ben Stokes at Sandair.
Today he was facing the England captain at Lord’s, the home of cricket, making his Test match debut for the West Indies.
Louis, who was overseas amateur for Cockermouth in 2022, has made rapid strides back home in the Caribbean doing enough to be part of the touring team to England.
Stokes, in fact, dismissed the 23-year-old after he had made a good fist of it after losing opening partner, skipper Kraigg Brathwaite and Kirk McKenzie.
He had made 27 when he edged a dangerous delivery from Stokes and Harry Brook took a fine catch at third slip to end a watchful and promising debut, which also included a six off Chris Woakes.
Brook had been educated at Sedbergh School which produced quite a remarkable line in the scorecard – Louis (ex Cockermouth, Cumbria) c Brook (ex Sedbergh School, Cumbria) b Stokes (ex Cockermouth, Cumbria).
Stokes watched Louis in action against Furness two years ago when he paid a visit to Sandair, where his outstanding career had been nurtured.
The 23-year-old from St Kitts came to Sandair when Cockermouth were denied a professional 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.
“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 had been the only uncapped player in the touring squad and his selection has caused a stir at his birthplace of St Kitt’s.
