National cricket team World Cup reserve Ryan Steede claimed yesterday he never received a “fair” chance to prove himself fit enough for team selection.

The Bailey’s Bay seamer missed Bermuda’s recent tour of Kenya due to a bothersome back injury. But it was learned yesterday that Steede had been later diagnosed with a hernia — an injury which is believed to have had a significant influence on the Bermuda Cricket Board’s decision to overlook him.

“They never gave me a fitness test or anything like that to determine whether I was fit or not,” Steede argued.

“I think this was very unprofessional of them and so I’m very disappointed in that aspect.”

When contacted BCB president Reggie Pearman referred all queries to chairman of national team selectors Arnold Manders who did not return calls yesterday.

Earlier this year while the national team were away on tours of Trinidad and Kenya, Steede was given a specific training regimen by the Board and left in the special care of physiotherapists.

However, the former Atherstone CC player claimed yesterday that Board officials never checked on his progress.

“I was the one who had to chase after them,” he claimed.

“And all of the hard work I’ve put in. . . this is just unbelievable. I was never given a fitness test and that’s what hurts me more than anything else. “I just can’t believe that nobody ever contacted me — there was absolutely no communication. I attended every training session and have never been tested.

“But not one of them (Board or team officials) has come around there (gym) to have a look at me.

“I’m just disgusted right now, but intend to be professional about everything and continue to train and whatever happens happens.” Steede confirmed he does in fact have a hernia, but insists it’s not an injury which warranted him being overlooked in the final team selection.

The gangly cricketer has instead been named among a list of five standby players for the World Cup.

“The doctor told me my injury should not stop me from making this team,” Steede added.

“But in the future I will have to get an operation. But this (injury) wasn’t something that could stop me from being selected. I think this is very unfair, I am very hurt and totally disgusted with everything.”