Emerging West Indies cricketer Vitel Lawes has revealed how a transformative mentorship from assistant coach Nikita Miller propelled him from a state of profound self-doubt to earning a prestigious spot in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 Team of the Tournament. The 18-year-old Jamaican left-arm wrist spinner stood as the sole Caribbean representative in the global selection, following his instrumental role in guiding the West Indies Under-19 squad to the Super Six phase of the competition ultimately claimed by India.
Lawes emerged as the team’s primary bowling weapon, securing 10 wickets at an average of 22.70 throughout the tournament. His performance surpassed those of pace bowler Shaquan Belle (8 wickets at 24.87) and fellow spinner Micah McKenzie (7 wickets at 21.57), establishing him as the region’s most effective bowler in the youth championship.
In an exclusive interview with the Jamaica Observer, Lawes detailed his dramatic psychological and technical transformation after disappointing returns during last year’s series against Sri Lanka, where he managed just one wicket across three matches. “I was very demotivated at the time when we started working together,” Lawes confessed. “But he took me under his wings and motivated me and gave me confidence in my ability.”
The St. Catherine Cricket Club player attributed his subsequent success to Miller’s specialized coaching methods, which yielded immediate results during the England series in late 2025. Lawes emerged as the leading wicket-taker in that preparatory campaign, setting the stage for his World Cup excellence.
Competing in his inaugural Under-19 World Cup across the challenging pitches of Namibia and Zimbabwe, Lawes faced additional obstacles as surfaces favored seam bowling over spin. The young cricketer adapted by increasing revolutions on the ball and employing greater wrist action, strategically limiting himself to three primary variations—the slider, googly, and conventional leg break—rather than deploying his full repertoire of six deliveries.
Despite acknowledging that pitch conditions limited his wicket tally below expectations, Lawes emphasized his commitment to disciplined execution and crucial breakthroughs during pivotal match moments. He also highlighted his productive collaboration with spin partner McKenzie, noting how their tactical communication and pressure-building approaches created mutual opportunities throughout the tournament.