Jamaican wrist-spinner lights up U19 West Indies performances

A NEW star is emerging for the West Indies Under-19s, and he goes by the name of Vitel Lawes.

The Jamaican left-arm wrist-spinner has become the undisputed thorn in England’s side, spinning his way to the top of the wicket-taking charts in their ongoing seven-game ODI series in Grenada, where the Windies Youth team leads 3-1.

Through the first four matches, Lawes has been virtually unplayable, bagging a series-leading nine wickets. His most devastating performance came in the fourth encounter on Monday, where his cunning variations and attacking lines yielded an impressive four for 35 from his full allotment of 10 overs.

This followed an equally brilliant, yet heartbreaking, spell of four for 30 in the third game, a performance that ultimately came in a losing cause for the young Windies.

The 18-year-old’s rise to prominence has been both rapid and deserved.

After a sensational season where he grabbed 42 wickets for St Jago High School in the prestigious Grace Shield competition, Lawes earned his place in the Jamaica squad for the Rising Stars Regional U19 tournament. There, he announced himself by leading the entire competition with 17 wickets in just eight innings.

For those who have followed his journey, his success on the bigger stage is no surprise. Shane Cole, one of his coaches at St Jago, points to the spinner’s humble beginnings in Linstead and an unrivalled work ethic as the driving forces behind his success.

“He comes from humble beginnings, so that would have basically motivated him even more,” Cole stated.

“Once he gets the opportunity, he puts up his hand and basically tries his best to perform each time. And that would allow him or propel him forward. But overall, his work ethic really allowed him to basically put him above the rest.”

Cole describes Lawes as a genuine bowling all-rounder whose primary strength is his aggressive, wicket-taking mentality.

“He’s a bowling all-rounder, so he bases his game on attacking the stumps and getting wickets. So he’s a strike bowler for me. So bowling would be his strength. But he can bat, too,” the coach added, highlighting the all-round potential of the St Catherine CC club player.

With three games remaining in the series, the future looks bright for the young Jamaican. According to his coach, Lawes is only getting better, growing in confidence and bowling with the freedom and self-expression that marks a special talent. For England’s batsmen, the ‘Vitel’ threat is far from over.