Hard work and determination have paid dividends for St.David’s’ all rounder Arthur Pitcher jr.

Pitcher was among four cricketers who were recalled to the national team earlier this week and will accompany a squad of 19 players to Trinidad and Tobago in early January for a training exercise.

The Islanders’ all-rounder was first called to national duty in August while the team were away competing in the ICC Intercontinental Cup and Americas Championships.

However, due to work commitments Pitcher was unable to make the trip and was overlooked for Bermuda’s five-week tour of Africa last month.

Though obviously disappointed at having not cemented a spot in the national set-up, Pitcher retreated into a personal training regimen that saw him pumping the irons in the gym and turning up at Lords every Sunday morning to practise in the nets with former Islanders’ coach George Cannonier.

“He (Pitcher) really felt bad about being dropped. But he kept training and I always did my best to keep encouraging him. Arthur was actually still training in the gym through the Bermuda Cricket Board and apparently someone called and told him he had to stop training,” Cannonier said.

“Arthur really thought that was the end of it. But he kept coming down every Sunday morning and I just kept trying to encourage and keep him motivated.”

In the end there would be light at the end of the tunnel for Pitcher, currently overseas shopping for cricket gear in New York, as injuries to key players have presented him with another bite at the cherry.

And this time Cannonier hopes Pitcher will grab what could be the opportunity of a lifetime with both hands.

“I’m glad the tide has turned for him because Arthur has a lot to offer and has kept himself in very good shape,” Cannonier added. “He is also very passionate and keen about his game. And I think he is one of the few people who trains very hard during the off-season.”

Pitcher burst onto the scene this year, helping St.David’s regain their Eastern Counties title and reach the final of the Belco Cup before making his debut as a winning colt with St.George’s Cup Match XI and then earning a call to national duty.

Pitcher is arguably the best up and coming swing bowler in the Island, who can also hold his own with the bat.

“He has always been a very dangerous bowler although his batting has also come on a lot. During his younger days he was more or less selected for his bowling, but he has become very proficient with the bat,” Cannonier said.

“I think he’s a very firm batsman who can score runs very quickly. Arthur has the ability to spot the bad ball very quickly and his bowling has been very economical.

“But what I admire most about Arthur is that he is willing to set goals for himself. He loves to go after them and never really gives himself a break.

“He is also very obedient and has been very consistent over the last two years with the bat and ball. So it’s good to see him get recognition.

“And I think good fortunes have come about for Arthur because of his willingness to put in the extra work, and go the distance.”

Meanwhile, Pitcher’s Islanders’ team-mates OJ Pitcher and Delyone Borden and Somerset Cricket n Azeem Pitcher were the others who received recalls.