Hemp welcomes back World Cup teammates

Bermuda skipper David Hemp has welcomed fellow ICC World Cup veterans Malachi Jones and Delyone Borden back in the fold with open arms.

The former English county player is delighted to see the talented duo return to the national programme on the eve of the island’s tour of Toronto.

Hemp hopes the pair’s presence will bolster a vastly inexperienced Bermuda team that will do battle with hosts Canada and a West Indies High Performance team — boasting Test players Devon Smith and Brandon Bess — during this month’s Canada Cricket Festival.

Jones is back following a highly publicized row with national coach David Moore, while Borden has seemingly settled his differences with Bermuda Cricket Board.

Both players are expected to play leading roles in Toronto where Bermuda will look to continue fine tuning their preparations for upcoming World Cup qualifying commitments.

Hemp said: “We all know what Malachi can do so it’s nice to see that he’s now got another opportunity. It’s also nice to see Delyone, who hasn’t played for a few years, back in the team as well.

“These two players were around for the 2007 World Cup and it’s good to see them back. Hopefully they can establish themselves going forward because they were picked in that World Cup squad three years ago so it is important they use that experience to help develop, not just themselves, but also the younger players in the squad.”

Bermuda are scheduled to face off with the West Indies High Performance team in their opening tour match in Toronto next Wednesday at the Malton Sports Club ground.

The two sides will also play each other in the popular twenty/20 format.

Hemp is bracing himself for what he envisions will be a stern test for his youthful team against the Canadians and a West Indies High Performance team, coached by former Middlesex and Sussex opening batsman Toby Radford.

He said: “They are going to be expected to be strong because even though they are classified as a high performance side it’s pretty much an ‘A’ team — the West Indies’ second best side if you like.

“Their side is going to be tough competition as well as Canada.

“Without question we are going to be up against it because we are playing against two strong sides. But we must see that as a challenge to enjoy rather than something to worry about.

Missing experience

“Obviously there is a lot of experience that’s missing but there’s no doubt we can compete.

The players that have been picked have done well domestically otherwise David (national coach David Moore) wouldn’t have given them the opportunity to play for the national team if he didn’t think they could play at that level.

“I’m always positive and optimistic so there’s no reason why we cannot do well.”

Hemp hopes the tour of Toronto will rub off on younger teammates, such as budding all-rounders Joshua Gilbert and Kevon Fubler, in a positive way.

He said: “When you are playing against good sides you can learn and then take the knowledge back to your own environment. The most important thing is to be exposed to playing against big sides to see how they go about things and as a player, in terms of development, pick out what the good players do and try and use that to develop and improve your own game.”

Hemp has reminded his team-mates that it is always an honour to represent your country.

“I think you have to let them know that it’s a great opportunity to play for your country, which should be seen as an honour as well as an opportunity to succeed rather than fail.”