Bird dreams of Gayle opening partnership

David Bird is a young cricketer with big dreams and is determined to achieve them.

Bird is a member, and captain, of The Chris Gayle Cricket Academy based at the Lucas Cricket Club in Rollington Town, Kingston.

He was also a member of the Jamaica under 19 team last year and was a part of the team in the historic 2017 cricket treble winning season at the Papine High School, where he is still a student.

DEDICATION

Speaking at their training session on Saturday, Bird said his goal for the future is to see himself on the Windies team, opening the batting with his idol, Chris Gayle.

"Hopefully by next year I am there by the grace of God, hard work, and dedication," he said. "I know I will do it, and hopefully I and Chris Gayle can open the batting for the West Indies."

Bird, who describes himself as an all rounder, joined the academy in 2014 at the age of 14.

He also spoke about his role as captain of the Academy, which was formed in London in 2013, and in Jamaica in 2014.

"It's quite difficult, but I look forward to it. My character as a leader has grown over the past years and I see myself as a good leader. I try my best to push my team and motivate my team 100% to get them on the right path, and get them on the page that I am on, and to try to uplift their game," he said.

Bird also outlined that the academy is not just about cricket.

"The Chris Gayle Academy is not about cricket alone, it's about education, life and it's an overall academy. They teach us life, things we can encounter in life as we get older, college stuff," he said.

The academy also brings in teachers to provide classes for players preparing for exams.

"We got CSEC classes when it's close to CSEC time. We got end of term exams and teachers come in to help the guys who are doing end of term, CAPE or CSEC, so it's a really good academy," Bird said.

The academy consists of over 20 members from schools located in Kingston.

- Bradley Jacks