Nzari Paynter and Chare Smith have been selected to play for the ICC Americas team in the West Indies Under-19 50 overs Tournament which starts next week in St Vincent.

Four Bermudians in total were selected for the squad, but Delray Rawlins, who is developing his game in England with the Sussex second XI, and Alex Dore, of Southampton Rangers, were not available to compete this year.

Paynter, who plays his club cricket with St George’s, is a spinner and early order batsman, while Smith, the Warwick fast bowler, was selected on the basis of his outstanding performances in the ICC Regional Under-19 World Cup qualifiers last year in Bermuda, when he emerged as the best bowler in the tournament.

Smith has been training regularly with the senior national team that will be competing in the ICC World Cricket League in Los Angeles later this year.

Paynter, a reserve for St George’s in Cup Match for the second straight year, impressed the selectors during the recent under-17 triangular tournament in Houston, Texas where he displayed confidence with both the bat and ball.

He has been a regular in the national under-19 squad for the past three years and has just competed his first year at Sedbergh School in Cumbria, which has an outstanding cricket tradition.

“I am delighted that these two young men will have the opportunity to compete in this West Indies regional competition,” Lloyd Fray, the Bermuda Cricket Board president, said.

“The six territories always produce quality teams and I expect that this year’s edition will be particularly fierce with the West Indies proudly winning the ICC U-19 cricket World Cup earlier this year.

“I know that both young men will be outstanding ambassadors for our country on and off the field.

“I wish them all the best in this excellent opportunity that has been provided for them.”

n The BCB has offered its congratulations to Marcus Scotland on his performances in the Surrey under-13 county age group squad that competed in Britain last week. Scotland’s continuing development has been recognised with selection to the Bermuda under-17 squad, and an invitation to the Surrey under-13 elite player programme next week.

Scotland will also be competing as part of the BCB under-14 development squad which embarks on a 12-day tour of Britain on Monday.