Spot in the global qualifiers within our grasp

FRIDAY, JULY 15: Bermuda has pinned its regional World Twenty20 qualifying hopes on a well-blended team comprised of youth and experience.

Former Glamorgan stalwart David Hemp will again lead the island’s 14-member squad that will be looking to advance to next year’s global World Twenty20 qualifiers in Dubai.

Bermuda’s team boasts five survivors from the one that represented the island at the 2007 World Cup and perhaps in all-rounders Joshua Gilbert and Kamau Leverock a refreshing glimpse into the future.

Gilbert forms part of a three-pronged slow bowling attack that national coach David Moore hopes can exploit the “turning” conditions in Florida.

Moore also has high expectations for a batting order that boasts the resilience of Hemp and explosiveness of Lionel Cann and late addition Dean Minors.

Wicketkeeper Minors  has come out of retirement for the tour. Colin Thompson previews Bermuda’s squad.

David Hemp (Captain)
Age: 40
Bats: left-hand
Bowls: right-arm medium.

David Hemp is the second most senior player behind wicketkeeper Dean Minors in the squad.

The former Glamorgan and Warwickshire player has appeared in two Twenty20 internationals for Bermuda, scoring a combined 20 runs at an average of ten.

Hemp made his Twenty20 international debut against Scotland in Belfast in 2008. Even though he is perhaps best suited for the longer versions of the game, Hemp’s wealth of experience at the international level cannot be overlooked and should be a huge asset to the team in Florida.

OJ Pitcher
Age: 28
Bats: right-hand
Bowls: right-arm medium pace

OJ Pitcher returns to the senior national programme after missing the ICC World Cricket League Division Two in Dubai earlier this year through school commitments.

The St David’s captain made his Twenty20 international debut against Scotland in 2008.

In three Twenty20 appearances Pitcher has scored 34 runs with a high score of 15.

He currently tops the local batting averages in Twenty20 internationals at 11.63.

Pitcher is another surviving member of Bermuda’s 2007 ICC World Cup squad.

Rodney Trott
Age: 23
Bats: right-arm
Bowls: right-arm spin

Rodney Trott has long established himself as one of the top all-rounders on the island but has yet to stamp his authority on the international scene.

The Social Club player, who led Bermuda at the 2008 Under 19 World Cup, made his Twenty20 international debut against Scotland three-years ago.

In three Twenty20 international appearances he has scored ten runs with a high-score of eight and an average of exactly five.

Dean Minors
Age: 41
Bats: left-hand
Wicketkeeper

Dean Minors is a late replacement for Jason Anderson and Chris Foggo who are both unavailable for the tour.

The former St George’s Cup Match player has come out of retirement for the cause and his inclusion will no doubt add more punch to Bermuda’s middle order.

Minors’ superb glove work behind the stumps will also be a great asset for Bermuda in the field.

The upcoming Twenty20 World Cup regional qualifiers in Florida will mark the veteran player’s debut for Bermuda in this form of the game.

Malachi Jones
Age: 22
Bats: right-arm bat
Bowls: right-arm medium fast

Even though it is expected the batting strips in Florida will favour the slow bowlers the medium fast pace of seamer Malachi Jones may also be a threat for opposing batsmen.

Jones will likely share the new ball with Willow Cuts team-mate George O’Brien Jr. And his robust hitting lower down the order could also come in handy as Bermuda look to advance in the competition.

The Willow Cuts player, who claimed a wicket with his first delivery at the 2007 ICC World Cup, has no previous Twenty20 international experience.

Jones also represented Bermuda at the 2008 Under 19 World Cup.

Lionel Cann
Age: 38
Bats: right-hand
Bowls: right-arm medium

As one of the hardest hitters of the ball, Twenty/20 cricket was perhaps made especially for players like Lionel Cann.

The St David’s stalwart can single handedly destroy a bowling attack and he illustrated this at the 2006 Americas Division One tournament in Canada where he smashed a century (141) off just 61 deliveries.

Cann is also making his Twenty20 international debut in Florida.

Damali Bell
Age: 19
Bats: right-hand
Bowls: left-arm medium spin.

Damali Bell made his senior national debut against Papau New Guinea at the World Cricket League Division Two in Dubai earlier this year.

A late replacement for the versitle Chris Douglas, Bell is fresh of a training stint at Kent Cricket Academy in the UK.

George O’Brien Jr.
Age: 26
Bats: right-arm
Bowls: right-arm fast medium

George O’Brien jr is one of the most experienced players in the team when it comes to the Twenty/20 format.

The Willow Cuts quick made his Twenty/20 international debut against Scotland in 2008 and has taken five wickets to date with best bowling figures of two for 11.

Has yet to hit his straps since returning from injury but did enough to earn a recall to the national set up with some solid performances during Twenty20 World Cup qualifying trials.

Oronde Bascome
Age: 23
Bats: right-hand
Bowls: right-arm medium

A hard work ethic has paid dividends for early order batsman Oronde Bascome.

The St George’s Cup Match skipper could be asked to open the batting in the absence of Stephen Outerbridge, who withdrew from the squad through work commitments.

Bascome scored only two runs on his debut, and only Twenty20 international appearance to date, for Bermuda against Canada in 2008.

Fiqre Crockwell
Age: 26
Bats: right-hand
Wicketkeeper

Fiqre Crockwell has not enjoyed the best of times at the international stage lately and his inclusion in Bermuda’s squad may have come as a surprise to many.

But one good knock in Florida could do the top order batsman’s confidence the world of good as well as turn around his fortunes at the crease — something coach David Moore and his fellow team-mates will be keen to see.

Crockwell is among those in the squad poised to make their Twenty20 international debuts in Florida.

Joshua Gilbert
Age: 17
Bats: right- hand
Bowls: right off-spin

Joshua Gilbert returns to Bermuda’s lineup after missing the World Cricket League Division Two Tournament through school commitments.

The Somerset Cup Match player, the second youngest member of the team, has been included in the squad primarily for his off-break spin bowling.

Having led Bermuda at Under 19 regional World Cup qualifiers in Florida earlier this year Gilbert will be familiar with the bowling conditions there.

Like many in the team the teenaged player has yet to play in a Twenty20 international.

Sammy Robinson
Age: 35
Bats: right- hand
Bowls: right arm medium

Sammy Robinson forms part of a three-pronged spin attack that coach David Moore is relying heavily upon to deliver the goods in Florida.

In addition to his bowling, the St David’s player can hold his own with the bat and is also an excellent fielder.

Robinson has been an integral part of St David’s back-to-back success in the domestic Twenty20 competition and his experience in the shorter form of the game could bode well for Bermuda as they bid to advance deeper into the competition.

Dennico Hollis
Age: 22
Bats: right- hand
Bowls: right-arm medium

Dennico Hollis perhaps best personifies perseverance.

The diminutive all-rounder has yet to make his mark at the senior international level, but this has done little to discourage him from giving 100 per cent effort every time out.

He was originally named as an alternate but was given the nod to represent Bermuda in Florida after Bay team-mate Stephen Outerbridge was forced out through heart concerns.

Kamau Leverock
Age: 16
Bats: left- hand
Bowls: left-arm medium

Kamau Leverock is the youngest player in the squad.

But don’t be fooled by his youthfulness as he can, and often does, punch well beyond his weight.

The nephew of orthodox left-arm spinner Dwayne Leverock is a solid middle order bat who also has the ability to make life rather uncomfortable for opposing batsmen at the crease with left-arm seam.

The PHC player toured Dubai earlier this year with the senior national squad and also represented Bermuda at Under 19 regional World Cup qualifiers in Florida where his knowledge of the local conditions could give him the edge.