T20 Cricket Squad For Florida Trip Named
Today [June 17] the Bermuda Cricket Board announced the squad that has been selected to compete in the ICC Americas T20 Qualifier which takes place July 17 – July 25 in Florida, USA.
David Hemp will Captain the squad which includes; Stephen Outerbridge, Oronde Bascome, Lionel Cann, Fiqre Crockwell, Chris Douglas, OJ Pitcher, Joshua Gilbert, Malachi Jones, Kamau Leverock, Dean Minors, George O’Brien, Samuel Robinson and Rodney Trott. Dennico Hollis, Jordan De Silva and Lateef Trott will be on standby.
National Coach David Moore commented on the selection saying, “The T20 National Team series has been an excellent exercise, not only for the selection of the team, but the development of the players and their improved understanding of the T20 game.”
“The ability to play at the premier ground in Bermuda, with International sized boundaries and a first class wicket allows the players with an excellent opportunity to be able to present for selection.
“I would like to thank the coaches of the series, Herbie Bascome, Andre Manders, Clay Smith and Clevie Wade for the assistance in both the preparation and selection of the squad. Consideration for selection was given to both Domestic and National series performances as well as past ability to perform at the top level.”
“Congratulations to the players that have been selected. It is a team that has been selected with the playing conditions in the forefront of thoughts. The CBRP stadium is well known for its propensity to turn from day one.”
“That is why the team has three specialist spinners in Rodney Trott, Joshua Gilbert and Sammy Robinson as well as players like Chris Douglas who can also be a prodigious spinner of the ball.
“It is good to welcome back some players that have international experience and have been away from the squad. Dean Minors has answered an 11th hour request as both our keepers, Jason Anderson and Chris Foggo are unavailable.”
“George O’Brien makes his way back in to the squad with some quality bowling performances during the EPL and the National Team series. Oronde Bascome has worked very hard both in Bermuda and overseas improving his game. It is important to the team’s performance that Stephen Outerbridge rejoins the group following his knee injury during last years Cup Match.”
“Kamau Leverock will play his first official tournament for the Bermuda National team following his tour to Dubai in January. He has been an outstanding and exciting young performer with both bat and ball. He has performed extremely well during the National team series and will play an integral role in the Americas tournament.”
“The team will be without Irving Romaine (injury), Dion Stovell, Chris Foggo and Jason Anderson (unavailable). Kyle Hodsoll is unavailable due to work commitments. Kyle has worked very hard for selection and it is unfortunate that he has not been able to secure release from his workplace. Terryn Fray is unavailable due to school commitments.”
“This is a format in which Bermuda has played very little and it is important we work very hard over the next month to fine tune our game performance and understanding for T20 so that we can fulfill our aim of qualifying for the World Group Qualifiers in Dubai in February 2012,” concluded Coach Moore.
Dean Minors….are you people at the BCB serious. He is like 100 years old. You wonder why we are going back in our cricket. Give the youngters a change. Were are the two up and coming keepers. Christian Burgess(St. Georges) & Regino Smith (Flatts).Are you trying to tell the people of Bermuda that not one of those two are ready for international cricket. So why did you really take the Burgess boy to Dubai? Stop collecting checks BCB board and pick a team for the future. Thanks to the Old Guard (David Hemp, Lionel Cann, Dean Minors etc.) and all that you have done for Bermuda Cricket but it is time to lay down and take a page out of the great batsmen Albert Steede book!!! Retire on top of the world and not at the bottom were you are going now!!!!
Reply to Funny says: While I concur with your comments, I do not agree with the personal attack on Dean Minors, it is shocking. Here is a man who from 2005 helped take Bermuda cricket to the very top and also play in the world cup, then do a great thing by stepping down to allow the youngsters to come through. I would say is NOBLE! Let me say I have investigated the situation and the board approached him because the younger players within the last few months have showed no Commitment, Dedication, Discipline and Passion for the game! So until we stop giving these youngesters everything on a plate, we should make them work just as hard for it. I feel for Dean because he has lost 4 good years of his cricket life. Sad!!! and to be recalled at 41 shows that we have a serious problem in Bermuda Cricket especially with players showing PASSION. So Dean did retire on Top at the World Cup in 2007. Truly after this tour I would like to see him around the team, not as a team member, but as a mentor for the young players. Funny- get the facts before you write the next time because I did.
First of all before you go writing trash one need to know the facts about the team. The only reason Dean was selected or asked to play was because of Chris and Jason unavailability. As for Christian Burgess he has withdrawn from the squad and Regino Smith is bowling spin for Flatts not wicketkeeping and at the highest level you need a specialist if you know anything about cricket. Yes we are low and i can understand your frustration but i think what Dean and lIonel are doing right now is trying to instill harwork ethics and committment into the current team as today’s players don’t have either. WE are low now if you take Cann Hemp and Minors out i am afraid we will go even lower in the standing is that what we really want for Bermuda cricket. It is one thing to talk but be sensible in what you say.