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Squad has mix of old and new

Head coach David Moore has opened the door to Glenn Blakeney and Kevin Hurdle to return to the Bermuda –national team.Blakeney and Hurdle have been named in a 28-man national squad for the MCC’s tour to the Island later this month and Moore is hoping they take the opportunity to play for their country once more.Also selected was Cleveland County’s Allan Douglas jr, while the likes of Tre Manders, Lateef Trott and Kamel Easton have all been added to a squad that has a healthy mix of youth and experience in it.There are some familiar names –missing as well.Oronde Bascome and Kamau –Leverock are both at school in the UK and won’t be returning for the trip while St David’s duo Justin Pitcher and Delyone Borden are unavailable.While the likes of Manders, Lateef Trott, Douglas, and Damali Bell –undoubtedly represent the Island’s long-term future, veterans such as –Lionel Cann and Dean Minors, who have also been selected, have proved in recent months that there is still room for experienced players who want to continue, or resurrect, their international careers.“I think one of the interesting things is that we have had a fair bit of success bringing the former, more experienced players back into the squad,” said Moore.“Lionel Cann has been a revelation from a guy that had retired from international cricket.“He’s come back and his committment level has been outstanding. Cann’s played some excellent innings for us, particularly in that regional qualifier in Fort Lauderdale. He was that batsmen of the tournament.“Dean Minors came back in that series and was absolutely fantastic and lifted the standard in the field, so we have had some success there and that’s why we are looking to see whether some of those more experienced players will come back in.“Not only to play but also to contribute to the education of the younger players.”The matches against the MCC are likely to be the last serious test the Bermuda team are given before the World Twenty20 Global Qualifiers in Dubai next March, and Moore is expecting the touring side to give him an indication of where Bermuda are in their development.“There are some current first class cricketers in the MCC side, particularly in their batting and keeping,” said Moore.“The bowling I’m not 100 percent sure of, but guys that are playing first team league cricket and above in England are playing a very good standard of cricket.“I would expect we will get a very good indication of the sorts of players that we present, how they handle the better cricketers and how well they may progress.”For the squad the games represent a last chance for players to prove –themselves on the pitch before the –tournament next year, after that it will come down to committment to winter –training and Moore has already shown that he has no hesitation in not picking players who don’t give 100 percent.“The domestic season is largely done and dusted, so time is running out for these players to present themselves for selection,” said Moore. “They’ve got an opportunity to play against some very good players and present themselves for selection there.“Then it will be down to them, as we progress through the off-season for their commitment to training, and fitness, etcetra, which is obviously going to be very important for us in Dubai in March.“It’s not always about how many runs they score or how many wickets they take, it’s about how they look when they bat, their wherewithal on the field, the way the read the game and that sort of stuff.“There is a lot going on for players apart from just the batting and the bowling side of it.”The MCC arrive in Bermuda on –September 23 and will stay until October 8, during which time they will play a mixture of Twenty20 and 50 over matches against the national team.

<B>Bermuda squad</B>

Batsmen G Blakeney, L Cann, F Crockwell, A Douglas Jnr, C Foggo, T Fray, D Hemp, D Hollis, K Hurdle, T Manders, S Outerbridge, I Romaine, R Smith, D Stovell.

Bowlers D Bell, K Easton, J Gilbert, K Hodsoll, M Jones, S Kelly, G O'Brien, B Outerbridge, S Robinson, L Trott, R Trott.

Wicketkeepers J Anderson, C Burgess, D Minors.

FixturesMatches at National Sports Centre unless stated:

September 25 Bermuda v MCC, T20, 5pm.

September 26 Bermuda 2007 World Cup squad v MCC, T20, 6pm, Somerset CC.

Spetember 28 - Bermuda v MCC, 50 overs, 10.30am.

October 1 T20 Triangular Competition, MCC v Bermuda 1, 9.30am-12.30pm; MCC –v Bermuda 2, 1.30pm-4.30pm; Bermuda 1 v Bermuda 2, 5pm-8pm.

October 2 Bermuda v MCC, 50 overs, 10.30am, Bailey's Bay.

October 4 Bermuda v MCC, 50 overs, 10.30am.

October 5 Bermuda v MCC, T20, 6pm.