'If I'm not healthy, take someone else'

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15: Former Bermuda captain Irving Romaine remains doubtful for next month’s regional Twenty/20 World Cup qualifiers in Florida.

The veteran batsman is currently nursing a dislocated index finger on his left hand back to good health.

Romaine suffered the injury while fielding for Bailey’s Bay in a BELCO Cup semi final clash with PHC at Somerset Cricket Club earlier this season.

Bermuda Cricket Board  are due to submit the island’s 14-man squad for next month’s regional Twenty/20 World Cup qualifiers to the International Cricket Council (ICC) later this week.

And national coach David Moore hopes Romaine’s name will be included on the list.

He said: “We are keeping close contact with him to see whether or not the physio (Craig Brown) and he are confident he is going to make the cut.

“We are keeping our fingers crossed that Irving will be available.

“But we have to wait and see how the finger is recovering.”

Romaine has been able to bat in training with the senior national squad and his club team Bay, but has struggled to come to grips with fielding.

He said: “I have no problem batting, I just have problems when I’m fielding. I still don’t have full movement in the finger.

“I’m hoping to be fit, but it doesn’t make sense for me to go into a game only able to catch the ball with one hand.

“If I can’t give it my all then you might as well take someone who can.”

Meanwhile the 24 players vying for places on Bermuda’s ICC Americas Twenty/20 team were due to play in a final trial match at the National Sports Centre last night.

Next month’s regional Twenty/20 World Cup qualifiers involving Suriname, Canada, USA, Argentina, the Cayman Islands and Bermuda will be held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Along with Canada, the eventual top two teams in Florida will advance to global Twenty/20 World Cup qualifiers expected to be held next Spring in Dubai.