Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) have released a 16-member squad that will fly the Island's banner at the Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia next month.

Apart from the omissions of wicketkeeper/batsmen Steven Bremar Jr. and Khiry Furbert, there were no other real surprises as the selectors opted for a nucleus they feel will best serve Bermuda in Asia.

And according to BCB development director and chairman of national team selectors Arnold Manders, the final team selection process was anything but a stroll in the park.

"The selection process was very difficult because we had some very talented players to choose from before it all came down to them having to meet the selection criteria," Manders said. "There were a lot of things taken into consideration — not just talent alone."

National team selectors also based their decision on player's training attendance record, overall commitment and deportment both on and off the field. And while Manders acknowledges that team selection has never been an exact science, he encouraged those who did not make the grade to stay committed to the national set-up as there are other opportunities in the not-too-distant future.

The BCB have already made provisions to have two Under-19 cricketers travel with Bermuda's Stanford 20/20 squad to Antigua next month, while Bermuda will again be represented at the Sir Gary Sobers Schools Tournament in Barbados this year.

"It's hard to leave out players but we have already stressed to those who didn't make the team to stay committed to the programme, because there are other things on the horizon," Manders said.

With youth cricket again thriving on the Island and the Under-19s set to make their mark on the world stage, Manders firmly believes Bermuda cricket is pointed in the right direction.

"I think the future bodes well for Bermuda cricket and I think we are going to have a very good nucleus of players to choose from for the next ICC Trophy (2009). I think things are looking very promising for us on the horizon," he said.

In the past several years Manders has watched members of the Under-19 squad steadily progress and he reckons that the time and money that has been invested at the grassroots level will ultimately pay dividends.

"I think they are going to be very competitive especially with all of the exposure they have had internationally over the last two years," he said.

"We know it's going to be a whole different level in Malaysia. But the players have learned a lot while we (coaching staff) have done our best to prepare them mentally for the occasion.

"They are not going into the tournament (World Cup) with a lack of international exposure. And if they can remain composed and confident hopefully their ability will shine through." Bermuda's Under-19 national squad are fresh off last month's training camp in Trinidad and Tobago where they were put through their paces at the Sir Frank Worrell Cricket Academy.

The Islanders played two crucial practice matches during the rain-hit tour, going down heavily against a powerful Connection Wanderers before rebounding with a five-wicket win over Queen's Park CC at the famous Queen's Park Oval in Port-of-Spain.

Bermuda Under-19s: Rodney Trott (capt), Malachi Jones (vice capt), Chris Douglas, Kyle Hodsoll, Stefan Kelly, Tamuari Tucker, Regino Smith, Jordan DeSilva, Gregory Maybury Jr, Lamar Richardson, Deunte Darrell, Dennico Hollis, Pierre Smith, Tre Govia, Terryn Fray. Standby: Kevon Fubler.