Two of the Island?s brightest young cricket talents have decided against staying at home until the World Cup but will instead return to university in Orlando, Florida.

Despite making it clear after Bermuda?s tour of the UK in June that they were seriously considering putting their education on hold to concentrate solely on cricket, St. David?s? OJ Pitcher and Delyone Borden have told coach Gus Logie they wish to see out their American college careers.

The East End duo began attending Valencia Community College before World Cup qualification was secured last summer and as a result have been forced to decide between completing their degrees or taking advantage of the large number of cricketing opportunities that have opened up for them.

However, Logie has assured them that by taking the former route, their chances of being picked for the World Cup were not harmed in any way ? although the former West Indies batsman admitted yesterday the situation was ?not ideal?.

?I am concerned about it in the sense that they will be in America for large periods of time where the opportunities to play and practice cricket are few and far between,? he said.

?We might, for instance, have sent them to South Africa or Australia for a few months in the off-season if they had been available. But I?ve spoken to both players along with their families and we have come to a common understanding. They were anxious to continue their education, but at the same time they are both desperate to play for Bermuda, so they were not in a easy position.

?On this Island, cricket is not professional like it is in other places and young guys cannot rely on the game as a livelihood. If they could, maybe the situation would be different and they could think seriously about cricket as a career.

?At any rate, I have assured them that their place in the national squad will not be in jeopardy because of what they intend to do. They have also made themselves available for all future tours as well, which is a good thing.

?I realise that purely from a cricket perspective, it is not ideal but given that the system we are working under is basically amateur, I am also interested in the development of my players as individuals and completing your education is a crucial part of that.

?They will go back to college in the Fall and they will be provided with a programme of fitness to follow when they are away and will be expected to meet the levels required when they come back. They should be with us for the whole of the tour to Africa in November so I should have plenty of time to work with them then.?

Pitcher and Borden are the best of friends off the field and were two important members of the team who qualified for the World Cup at the ICC Trophy in Ireland last year.

Borden?s role as the side?s second spinner, behind Dwayne Leverock and in front of Western Stars? Hasan Durham, has by Logie?s own admission made a massive difference to both the balance and effectiveness of Bermuda?s attack since he became available in May.