"He is one of the finest young batsmen I have ever seen at his age." That was the glowing endorsement from one who should know; former Jamaica captain and West Indies batsman Maurice Foster.

The declaration was made three years ago about Jemarie Harris. Now 14 years old, he is one of the youngest players in the Social Development Commission's National Community Cricket Competition.

Coming from the community of Ewarton in St Catherine, he was recently selected for the national Under-15 cricket team.

He is a mere stripling of a lad, standing at only 5'5" and weighing not much more than 110lb. His small frame, however, belies his stature as a cricketer over the past three years.

His father is a cricket coach and his older brother Djuvaine represents both St Catherine parish and University of Technology in cricket. His progress has been so phenomenal that he represented Ewarton at age nine and Kingston Cricket Club's Minor Cup team at 10.

In this his first year in the Headley Cup competition at Charlemont High, the grade-seven student compiled over 400 run from seven matches, with a top score of 95 against McGrath High. He was rewarded for his consistent performances with an invitation to the national Under-15 trials. Unfortunately, the youngster who turns 14 on July 17 did not make the final squad.

Even though Harris would not have seen him at his best, he lists West Indies batting maestro Brian Lara as his number-one cricketer, with the cover drive and pull as his favourite shots.