Minors 'truly flattered' by Bermuda call-up
Dean Minors is ‘flattered' and ‘humbled' by his shock recall to the Bermuda squad.The St George's wicketkeeper was among a number of surprise inclusions named in David Moore's squad for the ICC Americas tournament next month.Fast bowler George O'Brien makes a return after impressing in the recent national team trials, while there are recalls for opening batsman Chris Douglas, St.David's spinner Sammy Robinson and fit-again Stephen Outerbridge.Due to the wickets in Florida being conducive to turn, Moore has opted for three spin bowlers with Rodney Trott and Joshua Gilbert included in the squad.However, while the majority of those selected have been involved in the elite cricket since the start of the season, Minors' participation has been very much last minute.The wicketkeeper's century against Willow Cuts last weekend was followed by inclusion in the final national team trial match on Tuesday night.Now, with Jason Anderson and Chris Foggo both ruled out for personal reasons a whirlwind week has ended with Minors –returning to the Bermuda side for the first time in four years.“Never in a million years did I see this coming, but I will say I am truly flattered,” said Minors. “To be recognised, especially when you have officially retired, is such a compliment, it truly motivates me.“Yes, it's been four years since representing my country but, the hard work and dedication that we, the 2007 world cup team and 2005 qualifying team, had put in has truly been a lasting feeling.“You just never forget the hard work, intensity and expectations when being at that level, you learn so much and playing at that level is such a humbling –experience.”Minors, one the elder statesman of Bermuda cricket, revealed he has been approached by many as to why he left the game, but believed he had done did the “noble thing” by allowing the younger players their time on the international stage.“Over the last four years people have asked me the question “Why did I stop?”,” he said.“I did a noble thing which was to allow the youngsters a chance to come through and play.“If it takes me coming back to show my passion, discipline, and respect for this game to the young members of the team I will be willing to do it. There is a reason for my return and I will let the heavenly father do the rest.“At the end of all of this I am truly humbled.”Experience is something Moore's latest squad has in abundance, even if it does bear little resemblance to the side that was relegated to Division Three of the World Cricket League in April.There are only five surviving members from the tournament in Dubai, with David Hemp back to captain the side, and Lionel Cann, Fiqre Crockwell, Malachi Jones and Rodney Trott also picked.Having attended Bermuda's training camp in Dubai in January where he scored 50 against UAE, Kamau Leverock will play in his first senior tournament after a fine start to the season.“Kamau has been an outstanding and exciting young performer with both bat and ball,” said Moore. “He has performed extremely well during the national team series and will play an integral role in the Americas Tournament.”Missing from the squad are Dion Stovell, Irving Romaine, Stefan Kelly and Kyle Hodsoll, all of whom are unavailable through injury or work commitments.In place of Kelly and Hodsoll, Moore has called up O'Brien, while Jones is back to full fitness after missing most of the Dubai tournament through injury.“George O'Brien bowled with aggression and variation during the EPL and the national team series and fully deserves his opportunity,” said Moore.“The CBRP Stadium (where Bermuda will play their games) is well known for its propensity to turn from day one.“That is why the team has three specialist spinners in Rodney Trott, Joshua Gilbert and Sammy Robinson as well as players like Chris Douglas who can also be a prodigious spinner of the ball.“Robinson has been picked as a third off-spinner, but it is an added bonus for us that he cab at anywhere from one to eight.”With the squad now selected, Moore has a month to try and iron out some of the kinks in the players' approach to Twenty20 cricket.The tournament in Florida is not just an ICC Americas event, it is also the regional qualifiers for the Twenty20 World Cup, and as such is an event that is of the utmost importance to Bermuda.“Clearly, we need to work on increasing our strike rate and the way we read the game,” said Moore. “We've not played a lot of T20 in fairness to the players, and the standard of the domestic competition can be found wanting on occasion.“Ideally we'd like to play more games, and you'd hope that the guys who may feel slightly aggrieved at being left out would want to be involved. Traditionally though once the squad has been picked it has been hard to get players involved, and if that's the case we'll run through game scenarios ourselves.”The ICC Americas Division One tournament takes place in Fort Lauderdale next montha dn runs from July 18 to 23.Bermuda's squad: David Hemp (captain), Stephen Outerbridge, Oronde Bascome, Lionel Cann, Fiqre Crockwell, Chris Douglas, OJ Pitcher, Joshua Gilbert, Malachi Jones, Kamau Leverock, Dean Minors, George O'Brien, Samuel Robinson, Rodney Trott. Standby: Dennico Hollis, Jordan DeSilva, Lateef Trott