The Village of Birchgrove in St. Andrew has produced its fair share of musical stalwarts, including the bands Rhythm Riders and Rhythm Mix, but it is the exploits of an eighteen year phenom that will once again bring National and more than likely, International attention to Birchgrove.
Preston McSween’s boyhood was typical with the expected interest in all major sporting activities including track and field, football and lawn tennis.
During his early school years Preston resided in St. George’s which enabled him to attend the St. George’s Anglican Junior School and the Grenada Boys Secondary School. It was at GBSS that Preston started to focus on cricket in general and more specifically fast bowling.
At ages 13 and 14 he represented Grenada at the under-15 level and then went on to do the same for one year as an under-17 and to date 3 years anchoring the bowling attack of the National under-19 team.
Young McSween toured Australia in 2010 with a West Indies under-16 invitational team and has represented Grenada at the National senior level in 2012 and 2013.
Although the left-handed fast bowler is making a name for himself with the ball, he recalls fondly the 127 runs he scored in one innings for the Beauregard Cricket Club in 2012, in competition in the St. Andrew’s Cricket League.
During the West Indies under-19 50-over tournament in 2013 Preston captured the most wickets in competition an impressive 16 dismissals that included his first 5-wicket haul in regional/international competition.
Preston McSween’s performance in that tournament secured for him a place in the West Indies under-19 team and on October 16th, 2013, against Bangladesh under-19s in Guyana, a 4 for 20 devastating spell of fast bowling earned for Preston, the Man-of-the-Match Award.
He then went on tour with the team to Bangladesh in late 2013- a tour that unfortunately had to be ended prematurely.
On January 28th, 2014 Preston and the rest of the West Indies under-19s will leave the Caribbean for the Dubai, where they will compete in the ICC under-19 World Cup.
Preston McSween has identified Andy Noel as a significant mentor in his development along with coaches Wayne McSween, Ray Duncan and Clinton Williams. Junior Murray also comes in for special praise from the teenage cricketer for his commitment to and interest in his fitness and mental preparedness for international cricket.
Preston credits the aforementioned Junior Murray, Devon Smith, Andre Fletcher and Neilon Pascal for their accomplishments, which he can now use as motivation in his bid to meet and possibly surpass the achievements of these Grenadian cricket stalwarts.
Young McSween looks forward to a lengthy career representing the West Indies at the highest levels and taking advantage of any professional opportunities his talent, diligence and hard work would bring. Beyond cricket he sees himself in the capacity of a Coach/ Physical Education Instructor who will be able to assist a new generation of talented young Grenadians.
Dexter Mitchell
