Janeiro, Sluggo still have roles to play

Prolific run-getter Janeiro Tucker has been rested for Bermuda's upcoming four-day Intercontinental Shield match with United Arab Emirates on home soil.

The top all rounder has yet to fully recover from knee surgery late last year and has been left out of the island's 17-man Intercontinental Shield training squad as a precautionary measure.

"We think that our best bet with Janeiro is to keep looking after him and we didn't think that the four-day game would be good for him," explained national coach David Moore.

Tucker, though, is expected to return to the national setup for the island's two 50 over and Twenty/20 clash with the visiting Asians following the Intercontinental Shield commitment that gets underway next Monday at the National Sports Centre.

"We are going to save him for the one dayers at the end of the tournament," Moore added.

While mostly regarded as a one-day specialist, Tucker also posseses the ability to drop anchor and bat for long spells, a quality that could be missed as winless Bermuda seek to salvage pride in the competition.

Tucker, who was spotted hobbling around on his wonky knee last weekend, is one of the few active surviving members from Bermuda's 2007 World Cup squad.

Earlier this year he surprised many by returning to international cricket after announcing his retirement following the island's failed 2011 World Cup qualifying bid in South Africa last year.

Another player returning from retirement is left- arm orthodox spinner Dwayne Leverock.

The past Male Athlete of the Year will not be taking any part in Bermuda's upcoming home series with UAE as national coach Moore has other plans in mind for the gentle giant.

He said: "When Dwayne came back into the squad it was all about a plan for long term. We obviously have plans for Dwayne for the future.

"We have big tournaments coming up that we need people ready for and we are hoping Dwayne will be ready for those bigger tournaments. We would not have brought him in the squad if we did not have plans for him.

"We have discussed those plans with him that he is comfortable and happy with. He knows what we need and we know what we need and so that's the main thing."