'I have a good chance to make St George's Cup Match squad'

FRIDAY, JULY 22: Damali Bell rates his chances of breaking into St George’s Cup Match team this year as “fairly good”.

The 19-year-old Cleveland County left-arm seamer impressed the selectors during an earlier Cup Match trial at Wellington Oval this summer.

He claimed two scalps with the new ball and stroked 30-odd runs batting at number six shortly after returning from a training stint at Kent Cricket Academy in England.

Due to ongoing senior national team commitments in Florida Bell is among a host of players that won’t be involved in the Cup Match champions’ final trial at Wellington Oval tomorrow.

Nonetheless, the promising all-rounder believes the experience gained in the UK as well as at this year’s World Cricket League Division Two tournament and regional ICC Under 19 World Cup qualifiers could tip the scales in his favour.

He said: “I have had a lot of experience playing overseas with the national team this year which could help my cause. I think I have a fairly good chance of making the team.”

Bell reckons his bowling has come on in leaps and bounds since making his senior international debut at the World Cricket League Division Two in Dubai earlier this year.

“My bowling speed is much quicker than what it was before and I’m also able to put the ball in the right areas more consistently now.”

St George’s coach Clay Smith has already declared how valuable the player is to his future plans.

“He’s a good player and definitely a player for the future without a doubt,” Smith told the Bermuda Sun in a previous interview. “We would love to have him in our team.”

When asked why did he choose to try out for St George’s, Bell replied: “That’s my family team.  I have always supported St George’s.”

Earlier this week the multi-talented athlete demonstrated that he is capable of handling enormous pressure representing Bermuda at regional World Twenty20 qualifiers in Florida.

With ICC Associate newcomers Suriname requiring 15 runs for victory off the final over Bell was given the daunting task of bowling at the death.

It was a task he accomplished with a maturity belying his tender years.

He said: “At first I tried to bowl as many dot balls as possible and after I got through my first three deliveries I felt okay and just keep going from there.

“I just watched how the other bowlers bowled. They were pitching it just short of a length and so I just tried to bowl the same.

“The wickets here are kind of flat and so I have to bend my back, put the ball in the same areas and also use variation.”