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Trott enhances reputation as the top allrounder

The Royal Gazette's cricket writer Josh Ball looks at how the players performed at the training camp in Dubai

David HempGames played 5, Innings 5, Runs 253A high score of 105 against the UAE Under-19s, which Hemp was reluctant to acknowledge with anything more than a passing nod, was followed by a much more important 70 during the win over the senior side. Led the team well, as always, and after opening the batting throughout the tour is likely to do so again come April.Jason AndersonGames played 4, Innings 4, Runs 116Started brightly, floundered a bit in the middle, and missed the final game with a back injury. Anderson has given head coach David Moore plenty of food for thought following this trip. The PHC man began the trip as the number one in the wicketkeeping spot, and probably remains so, but there are concerns over his fitness, and ability to score runs when the going gets tough.Damali BellGames played 3, figures 24-0-170-2Bowled well in patches, and poorly in patches, it is easy to forget that this was Bell’s first exposure to international cricket since he played for the under-15s. Both Moore and Hemp are excited about his potential, and when he gets it right he looks entirely at home in a Bermuda shirt.A good outside bet to make the April side his bowling figures didn’t do his efforts justice.Delyone BordenGames played 4, Innings 3, Runs 35It’s difficult not seeing Borden in the side for April. Since his return to the national set-up Borden has made himself an invaluable member of the squad with his bowling, batting and fielding. Like fellow spinner Rodney Trott, he adds some creativity and useful runs lower down the order, and in tandem the pair provide 20 overs of bowling that can easily turn a game. Finished with figures of 34.2-2-123-4.Lionel CannGames played 4, Innings 4, Runs 173There has never been any doubt about Cann’s ability, nor his importance to any team he plays in, but that has been undone by the inconsistent nature of his batting in the past. On this evidence that has largely disappeared, and the impact on the Bermuda team cannot be underestimated. Provides a genuine safety-net should those above him fail and his innings of 85 on Monday won the game.Fiqre CrockwellGames played 5, Innings 4, Runs 61A truly frustrating batsman. When he got in Crockwell looked solid, and more than capable of getting runs, however he undoes that good work by finding new and inventive ways of getting himself out. Was run out twice in the four times he was at the crease, both of which were his own fault.Jordan DesilvaGames played 3, figures 26-0-134-1Seems to have gone backwards as a bowler and made very little impact on tour. Struggled with his line, length, and control, as did the other bowlers. His tour might have been different had a couple of edges gone his way, but they didn’t and it seemed to weigh heavily upon him.Chris FoggoGames played 3, Innings 3, Runs 108Another who took his opportunity well and provides plenty of options with the bat. Having begun last year as the opener, has been moved down the order and gave the line-up a bit more solidity. A top score of 44, he also stood in for Anderson behind the stumps for two games and could easily fill that role if required.Kyle HodsollGames played 3, figures 9-0-54-2An up and down tour for Hodsoll. Earned his place at the training camp with some hard work over the early part of the winter, then missed the first two games with ankle injury. He didn’t look comfortable in the one over he bowled first game back, but improved in the final two matches.Malachi JonesGames played 4, figures 29.5-1-153-9Bermuda’s top wicket-taker on tour, Jones produced his best series of performances in a Bermuda shirt for a long time. Really took off in the second game when a good catch in the slips fired him up from the start, and then never looked back. Was quick, generally accurate, and the threat he can be. A lock for April, which wasn’t necessarily the case before the camp began.Stefan KellyGames played 4, figures 36-5-151-8Alongside Jones, produced some of his best bowling for almost a year. Stronger, fitter, and quicker than before, he also bowled to plan, something he hasn’t always done in the past. Generally untouchable when in this kind of form, tore through the UAE senior team’s top order with an eight-over spell that was one of the highlights of the tour.Kamau LeverockGames played 3, Innings 3, Runs 60Scored his first international half century with a fine innings against the senior UAE team when promoted to number three in the order, there is plenty of promise about Leverock. Still with much to learn, gave his wicket away with soft shots in his other two innings, but will be around the international set-up for some years.Dion StovellGames played 4, Innings 4, Runs 73Promoted to opener alongside Hemp, there were good, and bad, bits about Stovell’s tour. Was on course for a 50 before being run out for 34 by Hemp in the third game, his batting either side of that raised some questions. Undoubtedly has a good chance of going in April, and his opening partnership with Hemp shows promise.Rodney TrottGames played 4, Innings 3, Runs 63. Figures 24-2-83-7.Could arguably lay claim to being Bermuda’s top allrounder at the moment. Trott will be one of the first names on the team sheet come April given the impact he brings to the side in all aspects of the game. His bowling figures for the tour were second to none, while his unbeaten 38 in the final game was just as important as Cann’s 85.Jim WestGames played 2, figures 16-0-1-85-1Illness and injury meant West played just two matches in Dubai, and he didn’t have the best of trips by his own normally high standards. Like Hodsoll, Desilva, and a couple of others, likely to be fighting for one spot for the return trip for the Division Two qualifiers.