Swashbuckling batsman Glenn Blakeney has been recalled to Bermuda's national team squad for the 2008 ICC Americas Championship next month after a four-year hiatus.

The hard-hitting left-hander, who has not played for Bermuda since 2004, will travel to Florida with the 14-man squad on November 24 where they will defend their title.

Bermuda will compete against Canada, USA, Argentina, Cayman Islands and Suriname.

The team also included six players currently at a training camp in Australia, newcomer Justin Pitcher and English professional David Hemp.

Delyone Borden was a surprise omission and has been selected as a reserve.

Coach Gus Logie said: "This team was selected based on availability, fitness and attendance at training to date.

"I have every confidence that we can compete at the highest level with this squad. The reserves and other squad members are encouraged to make themselves available for training because there are several tours earmarked for the future, especially in the run up to the World Cup Qualifiers in South Africa in April 2009.

Reginald Pearman, president of the BCB, believes Bermuda have a great chance of defending their Americas Championship title.

"I am proud of the efforts of the players who have been selected and all the preparation and hard work that Gus has been able to do with the squad.

"I expect the players currently attending the Academy in Australia will return in good shape to compete in this prestigious tournament.

"As reigning Champions after winning the event in 2006, I am confident the squad will do its upmost to bring the trophy back to Bermuda."

The players currently training in Brisbane, Australia, are skipper Romaine and promising youngsters Chris Douglas, Oronde Bascome, Rodney Trott, Tamauri Tucker and Kyle Hodsoll.

Bermuda national team squad:

Irving Romaine - Bailey's Bay - captain

Rodney Trott - Bailey's Bay - vice-captain

Glenn Blakeney - Bailey's Bay

Chris Douglas - Warwick Workmen's Club

Kyle Hodsoll - St. George's Cricket Club

Tamauri Tucker - Cleveland County

Oronde Bascome - St. George's Cricket Club

Stephen Outerbridge - Bailey's Bay

Stefan Kelly - St. David's

Jekon Edness - Somerset Cricket Club

David Hemp - Unattached

Justin Pitcher - St. David's

Dwayne Leverock - Cleveland County

Lionel Cann - St. David's

Reserves:

Delyone Borden - St. David's

James Celestine - Police Recreation Club

Fiqre Crockwell - PHC

Jordan DeSilva - Somerset Cricket Club

Team officials:

Gus Logie Coach

Clay Smith Assistant Coach

Lorenzo Tucker Match Analyst

Craig Brown Physio

Lionel Tannock Manager

Calvin Waldron Board Representative

Bermuda's Americas Championship schedule:

Tuesday November 25 - Bermuda v Cayman Island

Wednesday November 26 Bermuda v Suriname

Thursday November 27 - Bermuda v USA

Saturday November 29 - Bermuda v Argentina

Sunday November 30 - Bermuda v Canada (ODI)