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Last week my good friend Earl Basden, who manages the popular sports website Islandstats.com, irate at my criticism of our national cricket team's fitness level sent me an e-mail questioning my support for the team and challenging me to name my squad for the World Cup. After considerable thought I felt obliged to respond.

Let me preface my comments by saying that I have selected the following team based on those players who have represented the country in the last six months.

I am somewhat restricted in who I can reasonably be expected to choose primarily because the Bermuda Cricket Board failed in their duty to 'cast the net wide enough' to begin with.

As I have pointed out numerous times, no A-team was put in to place to groom prospective national team players and properly prepare them for international cricket.

Therefore to name players who have not really been involved in the national programme would be unfair to them and the country.

Irving Romaine (Captain)

Although he has not been in his best form lately Irving has been fairly consistent over the past year and has proven time and again that he has the ability to rise to the occasion. He has shown great commitment to Bermuda's cause, has a fantastic attitude and demonstrates good leadership qualities.

Janeiro Tucker

(Vice-Captain)

The leading all-rounder in the side. He has the ability to produce a match winning innings in the most difficult circumstances. He is also a useful bowler and good fielder

Dean Minors

Consummate team man and a good wicketkeeper who can 'keep' with the best of them. Always prepared to do what is best for the team and reads the game well. I must confess I prefer to see him bat down the order rather than open, as he tends to score more runs in the middle.

David Hemp

Brings much needed experience and professionalism to a country about to make its debut on the biggest stage in world cricket. His record breaking 247 not out against Holland last week in the Intercontinental Cup proves what an asset he can be.

Lionel Cann

This man was made for limited overs cricket. He displays a no nonsense approach to batting and has on more than one occasion provided Bermuda with quick runs in the latter stages of the innings.

Hasan Durham

A good left arm spinner who is also handy with the bat and can field. Hasan adds plenty of experience to the squad.

O.J. Pitcher

One of the best young cricketers on the island, showed great courage at the ICC in Ireland when asked to open the innings and then again against Jamaica when batting in the Stanford 20/20 tournament.

Delyonne Borden

A very good young cricketer, who can bat anywhere in the order and is one of the best off spinners in the island. Provides the captain and the team with options.

Saleem Mukuddem

Can provide runs with the bat, but I feel he is more important to us as a bowler. Although not extremely fast, he keeps a tight line and length and bowls intelligently.

Kevin Hurdle

To be honest Kevin hasn't performed as well as I expected. His bowling has not been consistent but he has on occasion performed well and the BCB has invested too heavily in him to drop him. To be fair his progress has been hampered through illness or injury.

Malachi Jones

The most promising player of his generation, can bat, bowl and field. Showed glimpses of what he is capable of in both Cup Match and Kenya, this lad has enormous potential.

Dwayne Leverock

Despite his size is still arguably the best spinner in the island A proven wicket taker he also has the ability to bowl miserly. It is unfortunate that he hasn't been able to trim down a bit as those of us who have followed his career from the outset recognize that the man is in reality a genuine all-rounder.

Ryan Steede

Another one who hasn't been as consistent as he should be, but a hard worker who gives his all - what more could you ask of him?

Kwame Tucker

Has basically struggled at the top of the order on the odd occasion scoring runs. His role as a back up keeper for Dean Minors keeps him in my side.

Stephen Outerbridge

Good temperament, willing to learn and committed to the cause. Again he has not been consistent with the bat but is one for the future.

No Clay Smith

I guess the omission of Clay Smith from my squad stands out and demands explanation.

By now most of you realize that I am a Clay Smith supporter.

I believe he is the most accomplished batsman this island has ever produced and also the best captain available. However, I am not convinced that he has sufficiently recovered from his knee injury to compete on the world stage and could not in good conscience include him in my side.[[In-content Ad]]

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