---

Bermuda is adopting a 'Zimbabwe style' policy of selecting young players who are hungry and committed and letting them learn at the highest level.

National cricket director Arnold Manders said the sport had entered a 'new era' and would be looking to youth more and more over the coming years - as the Zimbabweans did when they lost a slew of senior players.

He said the selection of 14-year-old Greg Maybury in the squad to tour Europe next month was part of a policy of picking players who were talented and, more importantly, committed, regardless of age.

"We are in a new era now, trust me. We have to be like Zimbabwe, and if that means playing all youngsters, so be it.

"That's the position we are in right now with Bermuda cricket. We have some quite talented players with the Under-19s and a few players in their early 20s that could be brought through.

"We can't be bothered about those that are not committed.

"The under-19s have been training hard and learning what it takes to play at the next level and I think six or seven of them will be moving up to the senior team very soon.

"If they are committed and they work hard, age doesn't

matter."

As well as Maybury the squad for the first part of the tour also includes Stephen Outerbridge as vice captain, Jekon Edness and George O'Brien, all of whom are in their early 20s.

And four Under-19 players - Stefan Kelly, Malachi Jones, Rodney Trott and Chris Douglas - will fly out after the World Cup qualifiers.

Coach Gus Logie added that it was important to get players involved with the national programme at a young age in order to get them used to the discipline and professionalism that was required. "We believe the younger you get them involved and show them what it's all about the easier it will be to make them understand the discipline and hard work required.

"After 16,17,18 they start to lose some of the passion. We really want to get to them as young as possible and show them a different way." Logie is not turning his back on the older generation, however, and though only five players remain from his World Cup squad, there are several senior players among the new

recruits.

James Celestine, the 33-year-old Flatts batsman who is in a fine run of form this year, Western Stars Maurice Lowe and Bailey's Bay wicket-keeper Roderick Masters are all experienced club players.

Logie added that he was not closing the door to anyone and the likes of Janeiro Tucker and Kwame Tucker, who have not trained with the squad since the World Cup , and OJ Pitcher and Delyone Borden, who made themselves unavailable because they are going back to school, would all be considered for future squads, if they came out to train.[[In-content Ad]]

---