By Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Thursday 11th July 2024) – Mikyle Louis, the 23-year-old Kittitian cricketer, who recently made another historic and impressive mark (on Wednesday 10th July 2024) by becoming the first athlete from St.
Kitts and Nevis to play in a Test match for the West Indies, recently gained more attention for a viral photo of him fist-bumping King Charles of England during a visit to Buckingham Palace two days ahead of his debut (8th July). Reflecting on the moment when asked by a reporter about it during a West Indies (WI) media session on Tuesday 9th July, he shared, “Yeah, it’s made its circles on social media and I really wasn’t expecting that amount of traction.
But it was good fun. It was a great experience for me, you know. I’m somebody who, a year ago, I was helping out my parents, you know, selling bananas on the farm and so forth and meeting the King, that was really great for me.
The King, he was in good spirits, you know. I was a little shocked that he was such a jovial person and that was good for me.” History first ‘first-bumped’ Louis on Tuesday 4th June 2024 following the announcement by Cricket West Indies featuring him as the first Kittitian to make the West Indies team. – NEWS – Expressing his pride in reaching his sporting milestone during the WI media session, Louis said, “Well, it’s been a long journey.
I’ve worked really hard leading up to this. Obviously, I’m elated. I’m happy to be here. I’m excited to go out there tomorrow.” When asked about his confidence going into the Test match, the young batter added, “Well, what worked for me in the first-class season was my work ethic.
I was training really
hard and I wasn’t leaving anything to chance. I was putting in all the effort in the gym and practice, and I’m doing the same thing here, so I’m hoping for the same results.” Louis acknowledged the support of the Kittitian community, stating, “Yeah, the Kittitian people, they’re really happy.
They’ve reached out to me on numerous occasions. They feel really proud that I’ve been selected, and I’m just hoping to go out there and perform and represent the country well.” When asked about his mother’s influence on his cricket career, Louis praised her dedication and support. “…She’s actually already in England.
I’ll probably be seeing her later today after we finish training. She’s really excited. She’s really happy. I know it’s very cliche for a young man to say, you know, I love my parents and I’m grateful but honestly, she’s an angel and there isn’t anything that she wouldn’t do for me.
When I’ve been injured, she would massage me. On days off when I finish training late, she would cook for me and, you know, she just, she really gave the world to us.” Reflecting on what led to his success, Louis credited his family for their unwavering support.
“Well, I would like to start off answering this question by really giving my family thanks. So, I have a family structure where I have an older brother, Jerrickson Louis, and my father as well, Jerry Louis; they allowed me to train 24-7 without worrying about bills and we were not having to buy groceries and so forth, so this really allowed me to, I didn’t have to work an 8-4 job and then practice in the evenings.
So I was able to train 24-7, go to the gym and so forth. So, this is what really helped me and they really gave me the push to really be great.” In the lead up to his debut, Louis talked about being focused and confident in his abilities.
“Well, leading up to the first class season, I was a little nervous because I was wondering if I’m good enough to represent the Leeward Islands, and I really went over there and I just believed in my skills because these are the same skills that I’ve been working really hard on, and it’s the same thing now. I won’t be thinking about if I’m good enough, I’ll just go up there and I’ve been working and just trust my skills to take me forward.” Louis also expressed his admiration for cricket legend Vivian Richards when asked about his sporting hero(es), stating, “So Vivian Richards.
I really respect him. He’s a legend of the game, a true great. And what I think separates Viv Richards from the rest is the mentality towards the game. You know, he genuinely felt as if he’s just good, you know, and this is a mentality that I’m trying to adapt, I’m trying to create for myself.” For further news on history-making moments, Mikyle’s fast bowler brother Jeremiah Louis got in on the squad line-up (having been selected as a replacement for Kemar Roach after a knee injury); equally marking a special moment for the Louis family.
As for his debut match played at the Lord’s Cricket Ground,
Indies was 79-6 for its second innings at stumps behind
England by 171 runs. For England, resuming the second day saw a 189-3 with
an all-out for 371, and innings lead of 250. [Mikyle] Louis is being applauded for hitting several boundaries The 15-member West Indies which included a massive six before getting caught at a slip. Test Squad are: Kraigg The West Indies team, though, as of Thursday 11th July, West Brathwaite (Captain) Alick – NEWS –
Athanaze, Joshua Da Silva, Jason Holder, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph (Vice-Captain), Shamar Joseph, Mikyle Louis, Zachary McCaskie, Kirk McKenzie, Gudakesh Motie, Jeremiah Louis, Jayden Seales and Kevin Sinclair. Front Page Image: 23-year-old West Indies batter from St.
Kitts Mikyle Louis and King Charles III of the United Kingdom fist-bump during the team’s visit to Buckingham Palace on Monday 8th July 2024 ahead of his test debut. (CWI Media) 9
