BCB scrap Elite Player League
Bermuda Cricket Board have scrapped the Elite Payer League in favour of four national team trial matches.With Bermuda due to travel to Florida next month for the Twenty20 World Cup Regional Qualifiers, the EPL had been designed to help head coach David Moore to select his 14-man squad by pitting the best players on the Island against each other.However, a combination of no-shows, injuries and work commitments saw the league struggle to make an impact with either spectators or players, and it has been brought to a halt.Moore, though, still needs to find the best players for the qualifiers, so the top 24 on the Island have been split into two teams, blue and red, and they will battle it out for the right to go to the US tournament.“These two teams make up the ‘On Island’ preliminary squad for the upcoming T20 tournament and to be eligible for the final selection, and not withstanding illness and injury, players are expected to be available for all practices and undertake the set training programme in full,” said Moore.“I fully understand that some players will have other commitments that takes precedent over cricket. I respect this, however, unfortunately, they will not be considered for the national team.”While most players will be vying for a spot in the squad, Dwayne Leverock won’t. The spinner has retired from international cricket but made himself available for the matches to help the team prepare for the tournament next month.“We are very fortunate to have Dwayne Leverock in one of the sides,” said Moore. “Although he has retired from international duty Dwayne is still an international class spinner and his talent and experience will be valuable in replicating the challenges that the final team will face.”In a bid to attract more supporters, three of the matches have been scheduled for week nights, with games taking place at the National Sports Centre, starting at 6.30 pm.The first match is on Wednesday, with another game the following night, and two more on Saturday, June 11, and Tuesday, June 14.“This is truly a showdown between the best available players on the Island for positions in the team,” said Moore. “Not only will these players have to perform on the field but show the appropriate level of commitment at practice and an excellent attitude which is expected from athletes that represent their country.”The two teams will have their first practice session on Monday and all the players are asked to be at the NSC by 6 pm.Blue Team: Stephen Outerbridge (BB) (Captain), Chris Douglas (WC), Dennico Hollis (BB), Fiqre Crockwell (St. David’s), Deunte Darrell (WC), Lionel Cann (St. David’s), Chris Foggo (PHC) (WK), Delyone Borden (St. David’s), Dwayne Leverock (Rangers), Malachi Jones (WC), George O’Brien (WC), Kyle Hodsoll (BB), Kevin Tucker (PHC), Dennis Musson Jr (CCCC)Red Team: Rodney Trott (YMSC) (Captain), Dion Stovell (Rangers), Oronde Bascome (St.G), OJ Pitcher (St. David’s), Kamau Leverock (PHC), Irving Romaine (BB), Sam Robinson (St. David’s), Jason Anderson (PHC) (WK), Joshua Gilbert (Somerset), Kevon Fubler (WC), Justin Pitcher (St. David’s), Jordan DeSilva (Somerset), Burton Outerbridge (BB), Lateef Trott (BB).