Many consider Keon Gaston an emerging player, but the 22-year-old fast bowler from Mon Repos sees it differently. He insists he’s simply fulfilling his potential – a process he told St Lucia Times was delayed by health concerns in 2024.
Gaston has played just three senior regional matches, but he’s already made quite the impression. He made his first class debut for the Windward Islands Volcanoes in April, taking 6-25 against Barbados at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground.
Domestically, he captured nine wickets in just three matches in the Saint Lucia Premier League T20 tournament, including a fourfer. He also featured for the Windward Islands Infernos in the Cricket West Indies Breakout League.
Most recently, the speedster was the leading wicket-taker for Saint Lucia, and the competition’s top bowler, as Saint Lucia captured the Windward Islands Senior Men’s title on home soil.
“For me, I cannot even explain it,” mused Gaston. “Because I was down with an injury last year, and just coming back with the performances I’ve been giving over the last few months, words cannot even describe how I’m feeling right about now.”
His pace, control, and trickery have landed him a debut contract with defending champions Saint Lucia Kings for the 2025 edition of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League. Under head coach Daren Sammy, he joins three other Saint Lucians, including Mon Repos colleague Shadrack Descarte, veteran hitter Johnson Charles and young top-order batter Ackeem Auguste.
It’s a potentially rich learning environment for a player on the rise. Gaston also has the opportunity to work with former West Indies fast bowler and Kings assistant coach Pedro Collins, as well as West Indies Test captain Roston Chase, and current internationals like Matthew Forde and Alzarri Joseph.
“I’m very excited,” said Gaston. “Just trying to continue the good work I’ve been putting in over the past few months. Just very excited to be part of the franchise.
“For me, it’s not just about the tournament, it’s about leading up to the tournament. Just doing the necessary things I need to do. Just my preparation in terms of coming out and trying to hit my areas as consistently as I can. With the bat, just trying to middle the ball and play under my eye or in my areas. That’s basically it for me.”
Gaston has also been developing as a lower-order batsman of late. He has furnished useful runs for Saint Lucia, and for his various franchise teams. That balance, he says, is crucial. Like Descarte, or even Kings head coach Sammy, he is confident that if he does not get it done with the ball, he can make a useful contribution with the bat.
“For me, I like to look at it as both,” he explained. “A day, if one doesn’t come up, I will just to give more with the other one.”
Gaston will hope to earn a spot in the season opener against the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons, but his real focus will likely be on the Kings’ home stand from August 23–31, a prime opportunity to shine in front of his home fans.
