A new Cricket Star is born in Nevis

Saeed Williams (without cap)

ZIZ Sports – May 9, 2011–Fourteen year old Saeed Williams struck a brilliant half century over the weekend as the Pennyless All stars team secured first innings honours over Highlights, in an interesting tussle for first innings points.

Saeed, the son of Stuart Clayton Williams, former West Indies opener, was on debut for the All stars team and followed in the footsteps of former Nevisian greats like Stuart himself who debuted for All stars at age 13; Carl Tuckett at 13, Elquemedo Willet and Kieran Powell who all made the senior All stars team as youthful teenagers.

Saeed who has starred at the Primary School level in Nevis, also made quite a name for himself as one of the stars of the regional under 13 tournament coordinated by the Ministries of Sports on St. Kitts and Nevis, last year during the now annual tournament. He climaxed the series last year with a superlative half ton versus eventual winners, Barbados.

In the match over the weekend the young left hander started well as the opening partner to the more experienced Carlos Adolphus and got to a brisk 21 before he was unfortunately run out. He was then forced to watch helplessly from the pavilion as the Highlights team threatened to take first innings honours, with Winston Sutton seemingly set for a big one. It took a good catch from another product of the under 13 program, Shelton Forbes to see the back of Sutton and effectively end the Highlights challenge.

In the second innings however, young Saeed teamed up with Carlos Adolphus in a record breaking partnership for the first wicket which yielded all of 208 runs before the two were parted. Interestingly, Adolphus who is known for his aggressive nature of play was matched shot for shot by the debutant and at no point outscored him by any distance. Both batsmen fell short of completing their respective tons, both at the hands of another product of the under 13 program, Theron Bussue, a left arm spinner from Butlers. Saeed was first outfoxed by the spinner to go caught and bowled, while Adolphus holed out at cover off the same bowler.

Also playing for the Pennyless All stars team was 13 year old Shelton Forbes batting at number three and twelve year old Philo Wallace batting at number four. Merlin Liburd the former prolific Nevis all rounder, was slated to bat at number eleven as the youngsters took the lead role.

Included in the Highlights team was regionally famous Javelin thrower, Adrian Williams who used the new ball and smashed one six in his brief innings of nine.

It is certainly the type of beginning only known to special stars. Saeed Williams will become a household name, not only in Nevis but on the international stage in due time.

Summarized scores: Pennyless All Stars: 212 all out—Tonito Willet 95 with 12 fours; Saeed Williams 21; Joseph Williams 20
Theron Bussue 4 for 51 and Nigel Browne 2 for 41
Highlights: 191 all out—Daynason Browne 49 not out, Duan Phillip 34; Winston Sutton 32
Jason Campbell 3 for 31; Zavero Forbes 2 for 27; Joseph Williams 2 for 30; Tonito Willet 2 for 37

Pennyless All stars: 237 for 2—match called off
Carlos Adolphus 90; Saeed Williams 76
Theron Bussue 2 for 32