‘I see it as an opportunity’  - Young Lawes soaks up West Indies experience after special Sammy invite

At just 19 years old, leg-spinner Vitel Lawes is already learning the ropes at the highest level thanks to a personal invitation from West Indies head coach Darren Sammy.

Lawes, who turned heads at the ICC U19 World Cup with a standout bowling campaign that earned him a place in the ICC T20 Team of the Tournament, has been on the senior team’s radar ever since.

That interest materialised into a development opportunity during the recent One-Day International against Sri Lanka, with Lawes attending a 10-day training camp in Antigua and remaining with the squad through the series.

Speaking to The Gleaner following West Indies’ 2-1 series victory at Sabina Park on Sunday in the T20 series, a reflective Lawes described the past fortnight as transformative.

“I see it as an opportunity to improve my skills, and I took it with both hands,” Lawes said. “I think I learned a lot whilst I was here over the past 14 days. So now it’s just for me to take what I’ve learned and bring it to training and in whatever I do.”

It was clear that the St Catherine CC player was in his element as he could not hold back his smiles while interacting with some of the senior West Indies players during the team warm-ups.

When pressed on specifics, the young spinner highlighted the habits that separate international cricketers from the rest.

“It’s just to improve on my professionalism, the importance of consistency, and the importance of routine in here, in these high-quality battles that we had. So there are a couple of things that I’m looking to improve on.”

Lawes admitted that sharing a dressing room with players he has long admired was surreal.

“Yeah, it was a pretty happy moment, I can say. Me especially excited, first season with a senior West Indies team, so I’m just soaking in the moment at the moment.”

Despite the star power around him, Lawes said he has felt nothing but welcomed.

“I feel right at home, to be honest. The boys make me feel at home, so it’s just for me now to put in my work and make it to the circle.”

Lawes will not be travelling with the squad for their upcoming matches. Instead, he has his sights set on the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and personal development.

“No, I will be staying back to work on my fitness and do some spark work and stuff like that,” he explained. 

“It’s just to go to training and put in the work that I know I need and wait for CPL or whatever comes next.”

For a teenager already on the senior team’s radar, the message from Sammy’s special invitation is clear: The West Indies see a future in Vitel Lawes.

 Now, it is up to the young spinner to spin that promise into permanence.