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Master blaster Shannon Rayner has earned a long awaited call to senior national team duty.

The Southampton Rangers batsman has been named among Bermuda's 14-man Intercontinental Shield squad that departs for a tour of South Africa and Namibia March 23.

Raynor has already acquired the reputation as one of the heaviest hitters of the ball in the domestic game and Bermuda vice-captain Stephen Outerbridge hopes his former Under 19 national squad teammate can carry that form over to the international level.

Outerbridge believes Rayner can pack a powerful punch in Bermuda's lower order with his robust stroke play.

He said: "I think his (Rayner) hitting down the lower end will definitely give that dynamic that we need and hopefully he can fulfil the role he will eventually be asked to do.

"I'm sure Shannon will be up for the task because he has been doing a lot of batting and working on a few things and I am sure he will be good to go."

Earning a recall was St. George's all-rounder Ryan Steede who has regained fitness.

"Ryan had to overcome some fitness issues that I think all seam bowlers go through," Outerbridge continued. "He has been batting pretty well and hopefully he can carry some of that form in the national team."

Also returning to the national team setup is Bailey's Bay seamer Jim West after a four-year hiatus.

On paper Bermuda's squad has plenty of bowling options.

"It's crazy because a few months back we had enough batsmen but were struggling for bowlers. Now some of our key batsmen are unavailable and we have a ton of bowlers," Outerbridge added.

Despite the unavailability of key batsmen such as Janeiro Tucker, OJ Pitcher and Glenn Blakeney, Outerbridge believes Bermuda have sufficient arsenal in their batting order to get the job done on tour.

He said: "It's 11 batsmen when you pick a team and so it's going to be down to the all-rounders to really put their hands up. Guys like Justin (Pitcher), Stefan (Kelly) and Malachi (Jones) are not bowlers who just bowl, they can bat as well."

Following a whirlwind training exercise and 50 over warm up match in Pretoria, South Africa, Bermuda will travel to Namibia to face their hosts in the four-day Intercontinental Shield, two 50 over matches as well as a Twenty/20 contest.

To date the islanders have yet to beat fellow ICC Associates Namibia who toured Bermuda last September.

On that occasion Namibia thrashed Bermuda by seven-wickets in the Intercontinental Shield, a performance the latter can ill-afford to repeat next month if they are to advance in the competition.

Outerbridge is wary he and his fellow teammates have their work cut out for them.

He said: "Of all the Associate teams we have never beaten Namibia. I think they are a stronger outfit in four day cricket than in limited overs cricket and are definitely among the favourites to take this shield."

Outerbridge is cautiously optimistic Bermuda can get a favourable result against Namibians.

"At the end of the day we have to look at our strengths and hopefully we can beat them on their home turf," he said. "If everyone can work towards the common purpose and common goal I think we will be alright.

"If a few batsmen can get stuck in and our bowlers can get wickets I don't see why we cannot be successful in Namibia."

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