IT HAS been a plan in the making — frustrated by the pandemic — but the patience of Ventnor Cricket Club 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.
It was a disappointment all round, but club and player kept in regular contact. That kept Ventnor's ambitions to bring Anthony half-way 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 bring him over from Barbados, 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. I'm glad to here on the Island to be honest. Last year, when I was back home and realised cricket in the UK was not going to happen, that was it," said Anthony.
"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 (Saturday).
If all is well and his tests are negative, Anthony will make his debut.
Anthony, who cites Brian Lara as his hero, is a left-hander who thoroughly enjoys batting.
With his big-hitting reputation, Ventnor may need to consider stocking up well on the match balls.
When he played for Paignton, helping them to 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 with and played cricket with — including with Barbados. 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.
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.
"Ventnor has had very successful teams in the past. What I can bring is a level of expertise.
"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, so it's important to pick up good habits from the senior players.
"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 relax and have a laugh."
Anthony would also like to do some private coaching at schools on the Island.
"I want to help Ventnor progress and to help their juniors and adult players develop their skill level and into better players," Anthony concluded.
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