Allan Douglas Jr sent a strong message to the Bermuda selectors after thumping a career-best double century at the weekend.

The Southampton Rangers all-rounder is adamant he still has something to offer the national cricket team, which he backed up with an unbeaten 218 from 79 balls — his maiden double century in domestic cricket — in a thumping 512-run victory against Willow Cuts in the Premier Division 50 overs league at Southampton Oval on Sunday.

“I want to play some serious good cricket in my last bit of years I feel I have left to offer Bermuda, and I’m also looking to get back into the national squad,” Douglas, 39, told The Royal Gazette.

“Obviously, the ball is in their court with that; that’s not my decision to make. But I never retired from Bermuda; I just didn’t get picked.”

Douglas ruthlessly put the Cuts attack to the sword, smashing 21 sixes and 15 fours as the league leaders piled up 557 all out in 47.5 overs after choosing to bat first.

He also added 116 runs for the sixth wicket with former Cuts all-rounder Deunte Darrell (42), 76 for the seventh wicket with Nyhrobi Carmicheal (7), 74 for the ninth with captain Dion Stovell (13) and 52 for the eighth with Quilanh Richardson (20).

“That's my career-best and maiden double century. Not many get to do it and I really feel good because that’s my first real big runs for the season,” Douglas said.

“I came to the wicket with 26 overs left, so to score 218 from 79 balls is roughly about 13 overs, which is really unheard of. And I wasn’t out there swashbuckling; I played some very good shots.”

Douglas feels his team could have scored more runs had they not lost their last two wickets with no addition to their total.

“Once we got to 400 and saw it was ten overs left, we always knew we were getting 500 runs if I stayed at the wicket,” he said.

“So once we got to the 500 we got to 550 with two overs to go, and I was sure we could get to 600.

“We needed 43 runs in two overs but it was just unfortunate the last two batsmen got out.”

Douglas also claimed four for 19 with his off breaks to cap a fine all-round display as Cuts were dismissed for 45 in 12.4 overs.

The experienced player revealed he had contemplated retirement during the off season before having a change of heart.

“I was on the brink of giving up playing cricket,” he said. “But I hit the coach up [Herbie Bascome] in January and said to him that I need to revive my career and can’t go out like this, and it’s shown in my game this season.

“I’ve hardly missed training unless I have to go to work, which is fine. We’re all grown men and have bills to pay, but if I’m available I’m at every training. I am not missing training because I just feel like staying home today. No, that’s long gone out the window.”

Rangers top the Premier Division 50 overs standings by 30 points and have all but clinched the title with one match remaining in their first season back in the top flight.

They have already enjoyed considerable success this season, having achieved the Premier Division T20 league and cup double. They are also holders of the Western Counties trophy and were crowned First Division Champion of Champions in their first outing of the season.

Douglas credits the team’s success to date to hard work, dedication and a strong desire to win.

“I feel not many teams are training right now on the back end of Cup Match, and for the coach to keep us together having competitive training sessions is keeping the winning nature alive,” he said.

“Everybody has been putting in the work and producing, and I feel good playing with these guys. They make me feel like I am young again and I want to play cricket.”