---

Fast bowling all-rounder Malachi Jones is back on the island and aiming to inspire Southampton Rangers bid for the league title.

The 19-year-old - who has been in the States completing a welding course - will skipper Rangers in their Premier Division campaign, which begins against Bailey's Bay on Saturday.

Jones is also ready to return to the Bermuda team and hopes to help take them back to the World Cup in four years' time.

Jones' presence was badly missed in South Africa with a makeshift seam attack exposed against top quality opposition.

And though he was disappointed to see Bermuda lose ODI status, he feels there is hope for the future.

"I felt I could have made a bit of a difference with the ball but other than that it was always going to be a hard task to qualify.

I was disappointed that we didn't get ODI status but there is always next time.

"With the youth that is around there is always the possibility for Bermuda to qualify again if we get the right team, the right coaching and everybody working together as a unit."

Jones has to return to the States next week for some final exams but expects to be back on the island living and working for the foreseeable future.

And after almost a year in the States he is keen to get back out on the cricket field again.

"I'm tired of being on my butt. I need to get active," said scored a half-century for BELCO as a guest player in the Evening League earlier this week.

"I was at a technical school so I haven't played any sports. I need to get back out there."

Jones, who has set himself a personal target for the season of 500 runs and 20 wickets, believes Rangers have the squad strength to compete with champions Social Club for the title.

Janeiro Tucker's side last won the league in 2006 before Social Club successive championships.

"We were short a few players last time but with Sluggo and Curtis (Jackson) coming back and Kwame (Tucker) committing this season to cricket we have a stronger squad.

"There's a few new guys coming in and a couple of young guys so we'll be alright. We're back to full strength."

Jones will give fellow teenager Stefan Dill his chance to impress with the new ball alongside Ryan Belboda this season, relegating himself to first-change.

"He's about the same age as me but I've had a bit more experience so we want to give him the chance to take the new ball and really push-on this season."[[In-content Ad]]

---