Alick Athanaze seems to be in the right place at the right time. He was a late replacement for the injured Delorn Johnson in the Windward Islands Volcanoes for the just concluded Super50.
What a way he took the opportunity and made the best use of it.
Following the passage of Hurricane Maria in his home in Dominica, Alick said the “experience played a huge role in his motivation to perform well at the recently-concluded ICC Under 19 World Cup in New Zealand.
Athanaze and his coach in Dominica, Sam Kirnon, have been working together for the last year and after the passage of the hurricane found a way to work out to keep sharp to prepare for the World Cup. He credits Kirnon for the work they put in.
Despite the team’s inability to get to the Championship round, Athanaze made 418 runs to emerge as the top runs scorer for the tournament. He describes the World Cup experience as “a life changing one which helped him to build his confidence and understanding of the game. One which also taught me how to deal with pressure and how to go about different scenarios at different stages of the game.”
He was a bright spark for the WINDIES as he was the only representative on the ICC-select squad. The 19-year old says his best moment of the World Cup was his 110 not out against Sri Lanka; while his most disappointing was the loss and the manner in which his team lost to New Zealand.
SUPER50 CUP
Athanaze, just last Saturday (February 24), played a steady and calm inning to help his team, the Windward Island Volcanoes towards a three-wicket win over defending champions, Barbados Pride in the Super50 Cup FINAL.
With 28 still required from 33 deliveries, the 19-year-old Athanaze put on a mature performance to play a major role in a 31-run eighth-wicket stand with Captain Shane Shillingford, to steer the Volcanoes towards the Super50 Cup title final, taking home the Clive Lloyd trophy.
Athanaze has a little ritual before he goes out to bat; “I put on all my left gear first and on approaching the rope, I say a little prayer.”
In another three to five years, Athanaze thinks he will be an established franchise team player heading to the senior WINDIES team.
His favorite food/meal is chicken burger with fries. And he enjoys dancehall music in his spare time.
Alick thanks for the memorable highlights so far in the infancy of what we hope will be a long, successful and enjoyable run on the local and international stages. You have been blessed with a special talent to thrive at “Gentleman’s game”. Continue to hone your technical and tactical skills while dreaming and daring BIG. Stay prepared so you will be ready to seize the opportunities when they present. I pray the Most High will guard your overall health while taking you to the far corners of the globe where you will represent your country and region while thrilling cricket lovers. Remember to glean from the seasoned pros you will most certainly encounter during your cricketing journey. Pick their brains for good pointers as well as for constructive criticism. Through it all, always be sure to have fun with bat and ball.
Congratulations, Alick!! You have only” started to walk”. Remain humble and NEVER forget your roots, where you come from. I wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
ABIGADO!
congratulation son! you are a ray of sunshine in this country. Do stop keep on keeping on
Congratulations to our son of the soil, saying and doing all the right things, keep it up, and remain focus, it’s a dog eat dog world out there, be careful, how you operate, jelousy and eveny, is well and live. Coodose, to Vibes Radio for making it possible to listen to the Commentary. We all have to support our sports men and women, money cannot pay, for positive press and exposure as a Result of positive image, send outthere. Good luck on all your undertakings.
Chicken burger and fries? what about the nanni and spice? Good job kid
Well done Alick. Keep on keeping on.
Congrats to the volcanoes, job well done.
Special big up to the brothers from Dominica…… Hodge, Alick and Shanie. Can’t understand why Shanie is not playing for West indies… It is what it is… Cest la vie
Congrats to the volcanoes…
Congrats
Mr Athanaze
Congrats Mr Athanaze
Keep up the good work
You make Dominica Proud
God Blessed Dominica
Please keep focused. Keep on learning and growing. Remember cricket is not only played on the field but also in the head. Its a mental game. Let people get you out, don’t give them your wicket!
Congrats and best wishes to the young man , doing well in the shorter version . My wish however, is to see him move into the test arena , the set place to becoming a good,great cricketer.