IT HAS been a plan in the making — frustrated by the pandemic — but Ventnor's patience has been rewarded by getting their man, talented Caribbean all-rounder Anthony Alleyne.
Anthony, 27, was all set to fly over from his home of Barbados — such a traditional hotbed of cricket talent — more than a year ago.
The ECB Level 2 qualified coach was looking forward to playing his first season on the Isle of Wight at Steephill, but coronavirus put paid to that, writes Jon Moreno, Sports Editor of the Isle of Wight County Press.
It was a disappointment all round, but club and player kept in regular contact. That kept Ventnor’s ambitions to bring Anthony halfway across the globe very much alive.
Anthony, who has undergone stringent Covid testing and isolating rules, as well as the red tape of visas, to get from Barbados to the Island, is now isolating at the home of Fiona Newnham, Ventnor’s first team manager.
“It has been frustrating. I’ve not been able to do much during Covid, so I’m glad to be here on the Island to be honest," said Anthony.
"Last year, when I was back home and realised cricket in the UK was not going to happen, that was it.
“It was around about Christmas when Ventnor got the ball rolling on me coming over. I’m happy it’s finally happened after waiting a year.”
He had his two lateral flow tests this week and was expected to meet his new team-mates ahead of Ventnor’s Southern League Premier Division 2 match against Bashley (Rydal) II, at Steephill, tomorrow.
If all is well and his tests are negative, Anthony will make his debut.
Big hitting
Anthony, who cites Brian Lara and Chris Gayle among his heroes, is a left-hander who thoroughly enjoys batting.
With his big-hitting reputation, Ventnor may need to consider stocking up well on match balls.
When he played for Paignton, helping them become runners-up in the Devon Cricket League Premier two seasons ago, he smashed three centuries in his final four matches for the club.
“Any opportunity to play on English decks helps you. In contrast with back home, the ball does a lot more here. There are different challenges,” continued Anthony.
Anthony’s record in the Caribbean stacks up too. He has chalked up more than 30 first class matches for Barbados and has played for the West Indies U19s.
In West Indian cricket, he hit a career best 186 against Trinidad and Tobago.
He is also a friend of West Indies test wicketkeeper, Shai Hope, a fellow Barbadian, with whom he went to school and played cricket with — including for Barbados.
In fact, they once enjoyed a 400-run partnership in an U15 game.
Anthony is a very handy off-spinner and medium pacer too, which is just what Ventnor need to kick-start their league campaign, which began with a thrashing from Fair Oak.
The all-rounder is not just there to make Ventnor a force this season. He will also play a vital role at senior and junior levels at the club.
Composed
“Ventnor has had very successful teams in the past. What I can bring is a level of expertise,” said Anthony.
“Being a senior player in a coaching role, I can help develop the younger players on all aspects of the game. I was in that position myself, so it’s important to pick up good habits from the senior players, as I did.
“I’m a calm and composed character. I try to do my job on the field, as well as try to enjoy it, but afterwards I like to relax and have a laugh.”
Anthony would also like to do some private coaching at schools on the Island, alongside his principal role.
“I want to help Ventnor progress and to help the juniors and adult players develop their skills and become better players,” he concluded.
Sean Read, Bashley's new second team captain, plans to buy his side some sea-sick pills ahead of a potentially rough crossing on breakfast time Lymington-Yarmouth car ferry.
"We may have to encounter a Force 10 gale coming in off the English Channel as well as Anthony Alleyne," he chuckled. "It might be a tad breezy right on the coast at Steephill."
Bashley (Rydal) II: Francis, Ryan Taylor, Phil Morris, George Wilson, Underwood, Achakzai, Mulley, Baker, Neil Taylor, Fletcher, Read.
Anthony, 27, was all set to fly over from his home of Barbados — such a traditional hotbed of cricket talent — more than a year ago.
The ECB Level 2 qualified coach was looking forward to playing his first season on the Isle of Wight at Steephill, but coronavirus put paid to that, writes Jon Moreno, Sports Editor of the Isle of Wight County Press.
It was a disappointment all round, but club and player kept in regular contact. That kept Ventnor’s ambitions to bring Anthony halfway across the globe very much alive.
Anthony, who has undergone stringent Covid testing and isolating rules, as well as the red tape of visas, to get from Barbados to the Island, is now isolating at the home of Fiona Newnham, Ventnor’s first team manager.
“It has been frustrating. I’ve not been able to do much during Covid, so I’m glad to be here on the Island to be honest," said Anthony.
"Last year, when I was back home and realised cricket in the UK was not going to happen, that was it.
“It was around about Christmas when Ventnor got the ball rolling on me coming over. I’m happy it’s finally happened after waiting a year.”
He had his two lateral flow tests this week and was expected to meet his new team-mates ahead of Ventnor’s Southern League Premier Division 2 match against Bashley (Rydal) II, at Steephill, tomorrow.
If all is well and his tests are negative, Anthony will make his debut.
Big hitting
Anthony, who cites Brian Lara and Chris Gayle among his heroes, is a left-hander who thoroughly enjoys batting.
With his big-hitting reputation, Ventnor may need to consider stocking up well on match balls.
When he played for Paignton, helping them become runners-up in the Devon Cricket League Premier two seasons ago, he smashed three centuries in his final four matches for the club.
“Any opportunity to play on English decks helps you. In contrast with back home, the ball does a lot more here. There are different challenges,” continued Anthony.
Anthony’s record in the Caribbean stacks up too. He has chalked up more than 30 first class matches for Barbados and has played for the West Indies U19s.
In West Indian cricket, he hit a career best 186 against Trinidad and Tobago.
He is also a friend of West Indies test wicketkeeper, Shai Hope, a fellow Barbadian, with whom he went to school and played cricket with — including for Barbados.
In fact, they once enjoyed a 400-run partnership in an U15 game.
Anthony is a very handy off-spinner and medium pacer too, which is just what Ventnor need to kick-start their league campaign, which began with a thrashing from Fair Oak.
The all-rounder is not just there to make Ventnor a force this season. He will also play a vital role at senior and junior levels at the club.
Composed
“Ventnor has had very successful teams in the past. What I can bring is a level of expertise,” said Anthony.
“Being a senior player in a coaching role, I can help develop the younger players on all aspects of the game. I was in that position myself, so it’s important to pick up good habits from the senior players, as I did.
“I’m a calm and composed character. I try to do my job on the field, as well as try to enjoy it, but afterwards I like to relax and have a laugh.”
Anthony would also like to do some private coaching at schools on the Island, alongside his principal role.
“I want to help Ventnor progress and to help the juniors and adult players develop their skills and become better players,” he concluded.
Sean Read, Bashley's new second team captain, plans to buy his side some sea-sick pills ahead of a potentially rough crossing on breakfast time Lymington-Yarmouth car ferry.
"We may have to encounter a Force 10 gale coming in off the English Channel as well as Anthony Alleyne," he chuckled. "It might be a tad breezy right on the coast at Steephill."
Bashley (Rydal) II: Francis, Ryan Taylor, Phil Morris, George Wilson, Underwood, Achakzai, Mulley, Baker, Neil Taylor, Fletcher, Read.