The Leeward Island opening batter could become the first player from the island of St Kitts to play Test cricket for the West Indies.
When the West Indies announced a 15-man squad for their three-Test tour of England last month, the first thing many pointed out was the squad’s serious lack of experience.
Only five players, including skipper Kraigg Brathwaite, have played ten or more Tests, while four of the other ten have never played international cricket in any format.
One of these four is Mikyle Louis, a fresh-faced 23-year-old opening batter from the island of St Kitts, who has played only seven first-class games thus far, having only debuted for the Leeward Islands five months ago, in February, yet has been entrusted ahead of Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who had scored a Test double-century just last year.
Lead selector Desmond Haynes indicated that the West Indies picked the inexperienced Louis because of the unmistakable promise he has already shown for Leeward Islands, which, under the guidance of the more experienced heads of Brathwaite and Jason Holder, could see the touring side upset England. “We are confident that this blend of seasoned players and emerging faces will perform admirably against England,” said Haynes
Louis finished the West Indies’ four-day championship as its leading run-scorer, with 682 in 14 innings – which is also his career tally – at an average of 48.71. He finished the season over 100 runs clear of second-placed Brathwaite, scoring a century in the final game against the Windward Islands.
His excellent season included two other centuries, and he impressed against England’s County Select XI earlier this week in the West Indies’ warm-up match in Beckenham. He also has a tendency to hit the long ball, having hit, on average, over two sixes a game in his first-class career so far.
Yet, it is not his ability with the bat or even his relative inexperience, even amongst a squad littered with young players, that is most fascinating about Louis’ selection. It is the fact that, if he plays in the series, he will become the first player from the island of St Kitts to play for the West Indies in almost a century – 96 years, to be exact – of cricketing history.
Even before donning the West Indies jersey, shortly after the squad was announced, he made headlines in St Kitts and was even awarded “national recognition” by the government of St Kitts and Nevis. Not only has the country’s Federal Cabinet of Ministers approved naming a stand at the Warner Park Cricket Stadium in St Kitts’ capital, Basseterre, after Louis, but they have also decided to allocate land to, offer a grant of $10,000 and name a road in his honour.
Mikyle will be joined by his older brother Jeremiah, who was announced as a late replacement for the injured Kemar Roach and could potentially play alongside his brother against England for the West Indies, just like for Leeward Islands. Whether or not either of the Louis brothers plays on Wednesday in what will be James Anderson’s final game for England, they have both already made thousands back home proud.
