January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Kelly: I'll do whatever coach asks of me
Known as a bowler, youngster excelled with his bat in Under-19s tournament
The St. David's pace-man flew out to Dublin yesterday along with Under-19 skipper Rodney Trott and all-rounders Malachi Jones and Steven Douglas.
The four youngsters helped Bermuda to win the Under-19 Americas championship in Toronto last week - sealing a place in the World Cup in Malaysia with a 13-run win over Canada on Saturday.
Kelly, normally a threat with the ball, proved his all-round credentials with a crucial unbeaten half-century to steer Bermuda to a decent total as the pressure mounted in the final 'winner takes all' game with Canada.
Now Kelly, a non-playing member of Bermuda's senior World Cup squad, hopes he and his young team-mates can bring their winning mentality to the senior squad.
"I think we should add a bit of an exciting, energetic feel to the squad. They might be feeling a bit down after some of the results they have had and hopefully our arrival can give them a lift."
The national squad faces Intercontinental Cup champions Ireland in a four-day clash, starting tomorrow, and all four youngsters are expected to be in the team, having been flown out specifically for that game.
"I'll try to perform whatever role is asked of me in the team. I just want to concentrate on nailing down a regular spot," said Kelly.
The youngster, who will return to his BCB scholarship at Oakham School in Leicestershire after the Ireland game, is likely to be used more as a bowler with the senior squad.
But after his impressive 55 not out against Canada on Saturday he believes he can ultimately become an all-rounder at international level. "I do think of myself as an all-rounder. Some people don't think I'm that great of a batsman but I back myself and my coach Andre Manders backed me. I owed him a big innings on Saturday,"
Kelly said the game with Canada was one of the most intense atmospheres he had ever played in.
Bermuda were on the rack at 103 for six when Kelly came to the crease to score a run-a-ball fifty and help them to a total of 194.
"I felt it was my role to stay calm. I enjoyed the pressure. It got me thinking a lot more about what I needed to do."
Kelly didn't have as good a day with the ball taking 0 for 40 in eight overs but Malachi Jones, Tamauri Tucker and Chris Douglas did the damage to get Bermuda across the line and into the World Cup.
"Everyone is really looking forward to it. We have our moments off the field where we don't get along so well but on the field we are together as a team. We are like brothers."
They will be up against Australia, South Africa and Malaysia in the group stages of the World Cup but Kelly is not daunted by the task.
"I think we will do really well. We should at least put in a good team performance and hopefully one or two players can make a name for themselves."[[In-content Ad]]
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