Young Jamaican Andre Creary enjoying Canada’s cricket

aims to make ‘a big impression’

By Ravendra Madholall

Young Jamaican and aspiring international player Andre Creary is relishing the opportunity to play in Canada’s Elite League cricket tournament for the first time. He is currently rated as one of the brightest prospects in the Caribbean.
With an undiminished enthusiasm for the game, the versatile all-rounder wants to be a professional cricketer. He has donned the prestigious maroon colours at the under-19 and second-division levels, but his ultimate goal is to be in the senior category, a dream that he badly wants to come true.
Having represented Brampton Masters Major League team in Canada and with consistent performances with the bat, 21-year-old Creary is encouraged to enhance his cricketing career.
“I [am] enjoying my stay so far in Canada. I came here to play and try to develop my game in all aspects and I just want to make full use of the opportunity,” Creary said.
The young player, who came to Canada in 2008 on a vocational trip, rated the level of cricket in North America as very challenging but more importantly competitive. That is the reason he is taking the sport even more serious in Canada.
“It is a different environment obviously, but I think when you (are) playing among players whom I am quite acquainted with from the Caribbean, (it) gives you the confidence to play good and positive cricket,” Creary said in an interview with Caribbean Times International Magazine.
He added that “the standard of cricket (in Canada) is very competitive and sometimes it is difficult to adapt to the artificial turn as that can be challenging, however, I am happy I am here for a purpose to develop my game and try to make a big impression by contributing significantly for my team as well.”
The off-spinner bowler, who also captained the West Indies under-19 team to Malaysia in 2008, and brought third-place, is anxious to make his visit to Canada on an annual basis. He feels the necessary overseas exposure is of paramount importance to his personal game and by extension can be instrumental for the future.
“If you want to reach to the highest level, you have got to make all the sacrifices and be determined,” the young batsman declared.
“I really want to make good use of the opportunity here (in Canada). Coming to a different country and playing competitive cricket should help me personally to lift the confidence of my game,” the young Jamaican further divulged.
“My ambition as a cricketer is to play for West Indies at the senior level and I will do what it takes to be a professional cricketer reaching at the top and make good performances count,” Creary adamantly related.
He quickly added too, “once I am available I think I will be playing cricket yearly in Canada.”
He has represented Jamaica in a solitary first-class match, which Creary described as the ‘beginning of his career’.
Additionally, he was an invitee at the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) High Performance Centre (HPC), a programme the WICB implemented to assist potential players with their skills, techniques and mental toughness.
“I just got the opportunity to represent my country in a first-class match. I think it was just the starting of my career. Yes, it was indeed an honour to play at the highest level for my country and then invited at HPC was also delightful. I think they see me as a future player and with the experience there, I am ready to make a contribution to the senior Caribbean side on the international stage, but I have to be dedicated, disciplined and consistent with my game,” Creary, a right-handed batsman stated.
The young player also mentioned that Marlon Samuel is his ‘favourite cricketer’.
Samuel is currently representing West Indies senior team played his 41st test match recently against a touring New Zealand side in Antigua, and because of his composure and dedication to the game, Creary said he is always inspired by those two crucial components.
“I love the way Marlon approaches his game internationally and he is such a disciplined cricketer and always willing to share his knowledge about the game,” Creary emphasized.
He also observed that Samuels “is a classical stroke-maker and his success for West Indies also propelled me to feel that I can be like him in two to three years time.”
The youngest of two children, Creary wants to be successful on his debut season for Brampton Masters and explained that the welcome he received on his arrival in Canada, spurred him with the right momentum to make his presence felt.
“I am gelling nicely with the team so far. As I said I played with players in Caribbean who are also playing club cricket here, so I don’t feel isolated about anything on the cricket field. I just focusing on cricket at the moment because I just want to play professional cricket in Canada,” Creary said.