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I see the mother country sharking him

He has a UK passport...the press over there are already hailing him "the new Jofra Archer"

So, if that is the case...he will probably end up being the latest in a long line of Caribbean bowlers ruined by England.

I watched his spell from yesterday. To be totally honest, I saw nothing special. He looks slim and fit, with a fairly straight approach to the crease, remaining upright and with a still head. He bowled fairly straight and full, which is commendable...but did nothing extraordinary with either movement or especially, pace, which ranged from 79-84mph. The batsmen played some poor shots truth be told. Credit to him though, he picked up some wickets on debut.

In reply to 4REALQUICKS

I remember when talk of Archer playing for England first started , there was also the same sour grapes opinions on him - let’s see how this plays out.

Here are two more players that will send some of the uncouth ass-wipes on this MB closer to Jenkins: Jaden Leacock and Jordan Graham.

Those two will be in English County Cricket soon.

In reply to TheTrail

I know of Leacock, but is Jordan Graham u17.

In reply to openning

Che is frommy area, his grand father was a founding member of Maple.

if said Che Simmons could not even get a pick for Barbados, why would he think that he can ever represent WI??? and so no problem if he represents Warwickshire and picks up wickets. I am yet to be convinced that English country cricket is of a higher standard than our FC cricket and this is still further argument that it may not be. I would like to see the county champions play Guyana and let us see how they fare.

In reply to PalsofMine

It would help if you asked Andy Roberts, Holding, Garner, Greenidge and Clive Llyod about County cricket.

Che played U15 cricket for Barbados, he is a product of the Franklyn Stephenson Academy, and he at 20 years spent almost 5 years in England.
He was not on the Island for U17 or U19 cricket.
Sometimes it is good to know the players' history before writing.

Several West Indians immigrated to England, their children have the option of receiving British citizenship, the same happens to children born in England, they can also be citizens of their parent's POB.

In reply to tc1

Was it Che who took ten wickets in an inning at the U15 level?
I found it.
Simmons represented Barbados Under-15s and first came to prominence by claiming all 10 wickets in an innings while playing for the Franklyn Stephenson Academy.
Jacob Bethell is also starting his career, a Reifer is also in the system, all these players are products of the Franklyn Stephenson Academy.

In reply to openning

Yes, he took 10 wks in a u15 match.

In reply to PalsofMine

In reply to 4REALQUICKS

What were you looking for exactly? He is a 20 year old in his first match and just happens to be developing in the UK.

A slowish pitch against seasoned Essex batsmen fastest ball clocked at 86mph, generally 83 mph. We have this pace obsession but I dare say he is quicker on any given day than all of our international bowlers bar the 2 Joseph’s and including Seales.

What I saw is yet another young man trying his best to grab an opportunity. It doesn’t matter his pathway. I recall Chris Jordan playing an entire FC season for Barbados before he was selected for England and many in Barbados said he had no right to play even though he qualified.


I just wonder sometimes what do we realistically expect from these young persons? I wish the youngster well and who truly knows what the future holds.

In reply to imusic

Bro, This guy is someone I have been watching.

Nice. Will keep an eye out although I’m pretty sure he’s played for Barbados already.

I know the name

In reply to openning

He has not fulfilled his early promise, he was one of the best u13, 16 players in the Bim system.

Word is that Jimmy Anderson saw Che bowl two deliveries in the nets and decided to bring his retirement plans forward by nine years.

In reply to tc1

Wrong Boucher bro.
Rashidi Boucher is 34 years old and plays for Spartan, and Leniko Boucher is 26 years old plays for Carlton.

One of the reasons I was not too fond of the Elite and 1st division structure and the promotion and demotion, is having to keep underperforming players.
The BCA structure is still an amateur system, clubs depend on paying members, and Rashidi should be playing at the Intermediate level.

In reply to openning

I followed Leniko from primary school where he scored heavily and then to Cawmere , he was invited to WI u19 camp at 15 years old. That's how good he was at that stage.

In reply to tc1

I learned about him when he was at Cawmere, he had taken a 5-wicket haul, and my brother forwarded me the link.
He has become a batsman and a wicketkeeper.
I thought he was about 21 years old, not knowing he was 26 years old.

In reply to openning

He was always an open batsman, and might have scored a double in primary school before going to Cawmere

In reply to tc1

He keeps wicket and open, you are right. We let the youngsters knock around Bim and get stale instead of forcing guys like Moseley to
continue to be first choice. Wait until there are getting long in the tooth before they get exposure at the higher levels. Because of this their games stagnate and bad habits get difficult to break.

In reply to seaegg99

Boucher was a class player at u13, 16 and 19, should have made the 2016 w.c.

In reply to openning

In reply to mkcharles

Perhaps you should read my comment again, thoroughly this time. Then, you will note that I actually paid the young man compliments in several areas. To me, he looked fine and did well in taking a few wickets but I stand by what I saw...or rather, did not see...and that is, anything overly special. The batsmen were playing very poor shots. He was not beating the bat or troubling them regularly. He may well improve and develop into a world beater...but at this stage, I suggest the brakes should be tapped.

The English media ALWAYS do the same thing...they latch onto the idea of discovering the next big thing, often before it has really developed, and they make it out to be the greatest discovery in many a year. Then, when the player in question fails to dominate each and every time they hit the field, they are knocked down as quickly as they were built up.

In reply to 4REALQUICKS

"The English media ALWAYS do the same thing...they latch onto the idea of discovering the next big thing, often before it has really developed, and they make it out to be the greatest discovery in many a year. Then, when the player in question fails to dominate each and every time they hit the field, they are knocked down as quickly as they were built up."

Surely, you should have said most of the traditional sports journos, whichever country they represent or sport - be it cricket or otherwise - do just what you've mentioned. Unfortunately, it has become the norm once prospective skilled players are identified as soon as they begin to fail the media uses that opportunity to belittle or rip apart their frailties. Standard journalistic fodder; alas. It is up to us - the ardent supporter - to read between the lines and rise above such nonsensical thinking. Talented players need time and patience - like a fine wine - they require exposure, encouraging support and coaching. These days, with so mu8ch opportunity to participate red and white ball cricket, sports journo frenzy kicks in as they wish to see instant rewards; be it batting, bowling, fielding or captaincy.

i think johan layne and ramon simmons are better prospects than him if you are talking about people around the same age.

In reply to velo

What about the professional county system compared to the amateur system in the BCA?

In reply to velo

No, Che outperformed both players at u13,and 16 at that stage.

So if some of these players never get to the England senior team, do they suck it up and try for the West Indies? With T20 leagues...players don't need international cricket to have a career. For instance Jacob Bethell or Che Simmons could make a living just playing county and white ball cricket in the UK, even if they don't get picked for England.

In reply to WIForever

Here is some info for you, a number of young Barbadian cricketers for over 18 years, have been awarded the Lord Gavron scholarship to study and continue their cricket development.
Here is a youngster who now lives in England.

In reply to openning
their is no comparison the bca like you said is amateurish probally why barbados hss not produced a lot of world class talent recently

In reply to tc1

I like laynes height pace and he can hold his own with bat from what i see

In reply to velo

Local cricket was always amateur, but competition in playing first-division cricket was at the highest level.
I think, that having a promotion and a demotion in the program and adding the Elite division is the problem.
The population is too small to add another division, promotion and demotion add nothing to the development of the cricketers.
My brother and I played for Yorkshire, he called me when Yorkshire was listed in the 1st division, I was shocked to hear the news, I saw no benefit to the game or the players.
What happened with adding another division, Carlton and Maple lost several players, you have players who are at the intermediate level playing for teams for years, because clubs cannot find members.
Clubs need members to keep them afloat, a good U19 player will remain in the top division while failing for decades.
Dwayne Smith and Shane Dowrich stayed at YMPC, 10 - 15 years ago these players would have joined a 1st division team.
I look at Wanderers and see the same failing players playing in the Elite competition.

What is needed is a Red ball division with six teams, these teams would provide players to the Royal regional franchise.

In reply to TheTrail
well we know we not missing anything there. reifer and good cricketers doh go together

In reply to Jumpstart

When was the last year the tits produce a player of note.