Saint Lucian cricket has found its newest superstar in 22-year-old left-handed batsman Ackeem Wayne Jarrell Auguste, whose extraordinary 2025 season redefined excellence in Caribbean sports. Auguste’s meteoric rise culminated in winning Saint Lucia’s Sportsman of the Year award at the 44th National Sports Awards on February 14, recognizing a year of unprecedented achievements that included international debuts and record-shattering performances.
The breakthrough year saw Auguste make his senior West Indies debut in both ODI and T20 International formats, where he immediately impressed with a match-winning half-century against Bangladesh. His Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League campaign featured the season’s fastest fifty, achieved in just 19 deliveries, demonstrating his explosive batting capabilities. The pinnacle of his domestic dominance came during the Windward Islands Men’s 50 Over competition final, where his unbeaten 209 runs set the highest individual score in tournament history and propelled Saint Lucia to championship glory.
Auguste’s journey from prodigious talent to international standout represents a masterclass in athletic development. His early potential, evident since primary school, was systematically nurtured through Saint Lucia’s cricket infrastructure. Coach John Eugene’s academy provided the foundational training, while subsequent development at Saint Lucia Seventh-day Adventist Academy under coach Bernie Joseph refined his techniques. His progression through national and Windward Islands youth teams culminated in captaining the West Indies Under-19 team, earning him Junior Sportsman of the Year honors in 2022.
In an exclusive interview with St Lucia Times, Auguste attributed his breakthrough season to a transformative mindset shift. Working closely with West Indies Academy batting coach Rohan Nurse and head coach Ramesh Subasinghe, he embraced self-belief and courage in competition. “I realized that it didn’t make sense that I trained hard and then doubted myself in games. I decided to be brave and trust my preparation,” Auguste revealed.
Despite the accolades, the young cricketer remains remarkably grounded. “Honestly, [my perspective] hasn’t changed much. I’m grateful for the recognition, but I just take it as part of the journey,” he stated, emphasizing his primary focus on representing family and country with excellence. His approach has drawn praise from cricket authorities, with Subasinghe describing him as “one of the hardest workers in West Indies cricket” and commentator Nial O’Brien marveling at his natural ability to “loft the ball effortlessly over the boundary for six.”
Auguste’s advice to aspiring athletes emphasizes accountability, intentional preparation, and resilience: “Embrace the difficult patches; it’s a chance to grow. Also, don’t get caught up in the hype.” His story embodies the emergence of world-class talent from Saint Lucia’s disciplined sporting system, signaling a bright future for Caribbean cricket as this young champion continues his ascent in international sports.