Tucker targets ‘dream’ qualification to World Twenty20

Janeiro Tucker says his previous experiences as Bermuda skipper will stand the team in good stead for the World Twenty20 qualifying tournament in Dubai from November 15.

The Southampton Rangers man takes over as captain for the tour from batsman Stephen Outerbridge, who is unavailable.

All-rounder Tucker has skippered his country before but this will be the first time he takes the helm in the 20-over format.

The player known as ‘Mr Cup Match’ is unruffled by the sudden promotion and believes the team — a mix of youth and experience — has the tools to reach the finals in Bangladesh next year.

He told the Bermuda Sun: “There was a lot of talk about the captaincy so I didn’t really know what was going on. But it’s a pleasure to be captain once again and to get the chance to help my team and the country try to succeed.”

He added: “On a personal level it’s just another milestone in my career. I’d never really thought about being Twenty20 captain.

“It’s not my first time [as captain] and I suppose the experience will help. But there are other experienced players as well — and we’ll just have to work it out — they’ll tell me what they’re seeing out on the field.”

Advancing from the group will be no mean feat with Afghanistan, Denmark, Kenya, Nepal,  Netherlands, Papua New Guinea and Scotland making up the rest of Bermuda’s group.

But Tucker said he is desperate to add a World Twenty20 to his resume, which also includes an appearance in the 50-over World Cup in 2007.

He added: “Qualifying is the dream isn’t it?

“If you can play 50 over in the World Cup and then play in the Twenty20 World Cup it would be a great accomplishment. The rewards are big.”

Lloyd Fray, president of the Bermuda Cricket Board said in a press release: “Janeiro has been an outstanding player at the domestic and international level for a number of years and has a keen cricket mind. 

“He is respected by the players and our community and is a proven leader on and off the cricket field. Many of us remember one of Bermuda’s proudest moments in July 2005
when Bermuda qualified for the 2007 Cricket World Cup. I hope that we all remember that it was Janeiro Tucker who was captain at that time. 

“He had taken over the reins when Clay Smith was injured in an early match, and he led our country to qualification. I hope that proves to be a lucky omen for our country in next month’s tournament.”

T20 Squad: Janeiro Tucker (captain), Dion Stovell, Kwame Tucker, Christian Burgess, David Hemp, Terryn Fray, Tre Manders, Christopher Douglas, Allan Douglas Jnr, Jacobi Robinson, Derrick Brangman, Lionel Cann, Malachi Jones, Kamau Leverock, Kamal Bashir.

Standby players: Brian Hall, Macai Simmons, Delray Rawlins, Onias Bascome, Temiko Wilson.