Call me up! - Walters hoping for national recognition after SDC exploits

Gayle Cricket Club, in St Mary, are the 2019 SDC/Wray & Nephew National T20 Community champions following victory over Orange Hill of Westmorland and one man who was instrumental in the team claiming their first title is wicketkeeper batsman Anthony Walters.

The former Tacky High school cricketer ended the season with most runs in the competition, 713, which included three centuries which were all scored during the group phase of the competition.

The 30-year-old, who also snared six catches and executed five stumpings, said it would be a dream come true for him to get a national call.

"Every day I get up and I dream that one day I would get to represent my country in cricket," he told STAR Sports after Sunday's final. "When I watch the CPL (Caribbean Premier League) on TV, I always wonder if one day I could be out there representing the [Jamaica] Tallawahs and making runs, which I love to do."

Despite only getting seven runs in the final against Orange Hill, Walters said the 2019 edition of the SDC/Wray & Nephew National Community T20 competition was a crowning moment for his team and the parish of St Mary, and the triumph has only made him even hungrier for success.

Naturally aggressive

"Winning the tournament is a big boost for me because I want to take my talent to the next level," he said. "I am a naturally aggressive batsman and I am not afraid of any bowler. I want the country to see that I can perform at the international level as well."

Walters was also part of the St Mary parish team that won the Jamaica Cricket Association 50-over championship following a victory over St Ann a day earlier.

Former national captain Tamar Lambert, who was the ambassador for the SDC/Wray & Nephew National T20 competition this season, hails Walters as one who can make an impact at any level.

"He is a talent to watch," Lambert said. "He is aggressive and very confident, and I hope the powers that be will allow him to showcase his skills at the next level."

Walters, who hails Brian Lara as his favourite cricketer, says he will continue to put in the work and hope that soon his hard work will pay off.

"Me and my cousin, Sheldon Pryce, who is the captain of the Gayle team, we get up every morning and we run and we practise over by the Tacky High School," Walters shared. "My goal is to be the next home-grown St Mary player like John Campbell to play for the West Indies."