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His constant smile portrays a personality at peace with himself and all around him.

But this calm demeanour could be misleading to his cricketing opponents who have been falling victim to the quiet aggression of this budding cricket star.

Shane Hinds, the diminutive vice-captain of the Vauxhall Primary School cricket team has been making loud statements with bat and ball in the Piton Malta Herman Griffith Memorial Cricket competition.

The ten-year-old allrounder has hit two unbeaten half-centuries and taken seven wickets to lead his team to four victories of five matches played so far.

Run out for just one in the opening match against Christ Church Boys at Wotton, which Vauxhall lost, Hinds hit 61 not out against St. Philip Primary and 62 not out against St. Christopher at Dover.

The fact that all seven of his victims have been bowled is testimony to his accuracy.

Four of his wickets have come in the first over, two of them off the first ball of the innings.

But what is really remarkable about his bowling is the pace he generates off a short approach and the lovely rhythm of his run-up and follow-through.

Cricket for Hinds is not only marked by success on the field. The social element is also important to him.

"I enjoy meeting students from the various schools," Hinds told WEEKENDSPORT when asked what he enjoyed most about representing his school in cricket.

"Cricket is fun," he said.

Hinds’ early inspiration came from his older brother Kevin, now a student at the Lodge School, and his father, Peter Hinds.

"My father used to take me to watch cricket at Kensington. I also used to watch my brother when he represented Vauxhall and I was proud of him. It made me look forward to representing the school as well," Hinds explained.

Hinds said that his father is generally a big influence in his life, but especially so in cricket.

"He encouraged me to set myself the goal of scoring the most runs in the competition."

Prior to this season Hinds’ highest score in the Primary School tournament was the 24 he scored last year against Erdiston, at Dover, which is naturally one of his favourite grounds.

Apart from the innings against Erdiston there was little for him to shout about last year, especially since his team failed to win a match.

"I have more experience this year. I’m concentrating a bit more. My coach always reminds me not to play across the line. Also to be patient and wait for the bad balls. I am not playing across the line as much as I used to before."

There is hardly a cricketing skill in which this talented youngster does not excel. He is also an excellent fielder and catcher as well as a competent wicket-keeper.

Inspired by his cricketing heroes Brian Lara and Jimmy Adams, Hinds prefers batting over bowling.

"Batting is more fun."

Watching him sprint to the wicket there is little doubt he also enjoys his bowling and the faster the better.

"My father, as well as my coach, showed me how to bowl inswingers. I like to bowl fast so I can shake up the batsmen," he said.

Hinds’ attitude to his school work is recognised by his teacher, Coreen Armstrong.

"He’s a good student who respects the need to work hard in class," Armstrong said.

"Despite his disarming smile, he recognises the seriousness of the situation and is in no way a frivolous person."

Like hundreds of children across Barbados, Hinds is now preparing to write the Secondary School Entrance Examination next year but finds little difficulty mixing sport with work.

"When I’m playing I concentrate on that and when it’s time for school work, I concentrate on that too. I also do extra work to make up for the time I miss from class."

© The Barbados Nation