Terryn Fray On T20 Americas Qualifier
Terryn Fray, the Bermuda captain, says his side are relishing the chance to compete on home soil as they target progression from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Americas Qualifier.
The tournament will be held at the National Sports Centre, North Field, from Sunday [June 21] until next Saturday, with Bermuda set to face Brazil, Belize and Panama in a round-robin format.
Bermuda will start the tournament as favourites to top Group A, with the winner progressing to the Regional Final next year.
“There’s a lot of buzz around the tournament because we’ve just finished the local franchise T20 competition [the Bermuda Smash Invitational],” Fray told Bernews.
“Every Bermuda player played in the competition, which is great timing for us.
“Playing on home soil is always a good feeling and the expectation for us to do well is pretty high.”
The home side open their campaign against Brazil on Sunday and Fray stressed the importance of making a winning start.
“We’re ready to go on Sunday and get the win,” he said.
“It’s vital to get the win because there’s a bit of rain forecast next week, so getting that net run-rate going is important.
“These competitions can open some big opportunities for the smaller nations.”
Fray expects Brazil to provide a stern test but said his side will not underestimate any of their opponents.
“Brazil will be competitive – they’re getting better,” Fray said. “We’ve played them twice before and they’ve improved.
“We won’t be taking any team for granted. We need to take our chances, take our catches, and take one game at a time.”
The Bermuda squad includes younger players such as Luke Horan and Isaiah O’Brien, a move Fray believes is important for the team’s future.
“I’ve always been an advocate for getting these younger guys in,” he said.
“It’s important for our contingency plans and sustainability for the future.
“In the past, we’ve been guilty of picking the same players over again.
“Guys like Luke Horan and Isaiah O’Brien have a lot of potential and I feel it’s important they have their chance to shine.”
Bermuda came agonisingly close to qualifying for the 2024 T20 World Cup through the regional qualifiers in 2023.
With the United States already qualified as co-hosts alongside West Indies, Bermuda’s main rival for the Americas berth was Canada.
However, Bermuda fell short in the decisive match at White Hill Field, losing by 39 runs as Canada secured qualification for the World Cup.
Fray said the T20 format offered Bermuda one of its best opportunities to reach a global tournament.
“The pathway to a World Cup is a little bit easier in T20,” he said.
“It’s a no-brainer for the Bermuda Cricket Board to push T20 cricket. We have strengths in the 50-over game and T20.
“This is a hurdle we need to get across and move on.”
Fray recently captained Hamilton Parish Hurricanes in the Bermuda Smash Invitational, where the defending two-time champions were eliminated in the semi-finals.
“We were going for the three-peat but didn’t field or bowl as well this year,” he said.
“I batted in the middle order; I can bat anywhere in the top order but I’ll most likely open in this competition.”
He also outlined his ambitions with the bat heading into the qualifier.
“I expect big things from myself; I have my own personal goals to achieve from a batting standpoint,” he added.
