Moore: There's still room for a healthy Janeiro

A bothersome knee injury has put Janeiro Tucker’s international cricket career on hold.

The veteran all-rounder has been plagued by damaged cartilage in his right knee that required surgery last year.

Tucker has been left out of a 33-strong provisional senior national squad that will soon step up preparations for next April’s ICC World Cricket League Division Two commitment in Dubai.

The star player, who guided Bermuda to World Cup qualification at the 2005 ICC Trophy in Ireland, is viewed by many as central to the island’s bid to regain promotion to the top tier of Associate cricket in Asia next spring.

Tucker went under the doctor’s knife late last year but has yet to make a full recovery. He is now said to be contemplating seeking further treatment for what some have described as a “potentially career-ending injury”.

When contacted the Rangers stalwart would not comment on his current health status.

National coach David Moore is clinging to hope that the veteran player can put his injury woes behind him and rejoin the national programme prior to April’s tournament in Dubai.

He said: “We really want him training with us as soon as possible and that’s why we are going to keep monitoring him closely.

“All we are going to do is see how he progresses with his injury that he’s had during the season and if we get some good from that then he will be added to the squad.”

Squad

This week Moore announced a training squad that includes Tucker’s 2007 World Cup teammates Lionel Cann and Dwayne (Sluggo) Leverock.

The pair bowed out of the international arena after Bermuda surrendered its One-Day International (ODI) in South Africa last year, but have since had a change in heart.

Also recalled is all rounder Sammy Robinson, who helped guide St. David’s to a successful Lindo’s Twenty/20 title defence last season.

Among the new faces are Cleveland County skipper Dennis Musson jr and teammate Damali Bell, who claimed four wickets to cap a memorable Eastern Counties debut earlier this year.

The provisional squad also contains five players from the Under 19 national programme.

Former West Indies coach Moore reckons the crop of players he now has at his disposal have the potential to move the senior national programme in the right direction.

He said: “There’s no doubt that these guys are talented individuals, but it’s more than just talent that wins cricket games. There are all those little things that have to be added to the talent that will take it forward.

“If we can get the formula and commitment right then I think we will be able to perform better than we have during the last international season.”

If all goes plan Moore hopes to have his players embark on a tour of Dubai as well as take part in a series of practice matches prior to April’s ICC World Cricket League Division Two tournament in the same country.

Bermuda will come up against Associate rivals United Arab Emirates (UAE), Namibia, Uganda and two teams from the ICC World Cricket League Division Three in next spring’s tournament in Dubai.