One could sympathise with young Stefan Kelly if he felt somewhat miffed at missing out on the ICC Trophy tournament in Ireland.

As he proved on his international debut against a formidable Namibia side last Friday, despite his tender years he might just be the best pace bowler Bermuda currently possess.

His stunning figures of five for 23 in just 4.1 overs, including four of the Namibians? top five bats, put Bermuda in a commanding position at the Hastings ground in Sussex, only for a woeful batting display to undo all his good work.

The teenager showed sufficient in his fiery short spell to prove that, in English and Irish conditions in particular, he could compete at a level beyond his years and would have been a real threat when this week?s tournament in Ireland began.

However, with the squad selected some weeks? ago and no provision under ICC rules to make changes unless under exceptional circumstances, Kelly has been aware for some time that he wouldn?t be a part of the World Cup qualifiers.

?I thought at one time I had a chance of making the national squad,? he said after Friday?s match.

?But there was going to be a new coach (Gus Logie) and he wouldn?t have seen me play because I?m based in England.

?So I really wasn?t that upset when I heard I wasn?t picked. Maybe in four years? time . . .?

Neverthless, he hopes his debut will have left an impression on the coach.

?Yeah, I think I bowled pretty well. It was very pleasing.

?It?s pretty disappointing to get beaten like that. But that?s the way it goes sometimes.?

Kelly now returns to his studies just outside Leicester in central England, and has been invited to play for both the Leicestershire Under-17 and Under-19 sides, although as he puts it ?passport issues? will prevent him from taking that opportunity until next season.?

I?ll come back and play in Bermuda in the summer,? he adds, ?and hopefully at some point I can break into the Bermuda team.?

Although it?s the batsmen and not the bowlers who caused Bermuda so much grief during last week?s three games in England, skipper Clay Smith admits Kelly would have been a useful addition to the side in Ireland.

?It would have been lovely to have had Stefan. He definitely knows how to bowl in these conditions, having played over here for so long. He?s adapted to these conditions very well,? said Smith.

?It?s an unfortunate situation that he?s not with us but we still have an adequate bowling attack. I mean Ryan Steede got three wickets the other day, and the other guys are bowling well.

?From the bowling aspect, I have no worries at all. I just think it?s time for guys to step up and be accounted for when it comes to batting and that includes myself. I have to lead from the front.?