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Smith urges team to finish on a high

Encouraging signs: the hard work starts now, says Bermuda coach Clay Smith

Dion Stovell has been recalled to Bermuda’s team for the World Cricket League Division Four Tournament warm-up against Argentina at the Belgrano Ground in Buenos Aires today.

The all-rounder was among two changes to Bermuda’s squad for Sunday’s first WCL warm-up against Cayman Islands from the one that faced the same opponents the previous day in the final match of the ICC World Twenty20 Sub Regional Qualifier. Bermuda beat the Caymans by four wickets in both matches.

Stovell comes in for fellow all-rounder Janeiro Tucker, the most senior member of Bermuda’s squad.

“Janeiro is out and Dion in and that’s the only definite change,” Clay Smith, Bermuda coach, confirmed.

“We have one game left against Argentina and we are looking to give some players a chance who haven’t really had a chance to bat yet on tour.

“We will be looking to finish the tour on a high by finishing with a solid performance.”

Wicketkeeper Okera Bascome and seam bowler Cejay Outerbridge also did not feature in Bermuda’s previous outing against Cayman. Bascome is out for the remainder of the tour with a hamstring injury, with Temiko Wilson, who played in both matches against Cayman at the weekend, having taken over wicketkeeping duties behind the stumps.

Outerbridge has a thigh injury that will be assessed during a late fitness test. Bermuda won both of their two ICC World Twenty20 qualifiers against Argentina.

Offering his assessment on his team’s display in Sunday’s 40-over match against the Cayman, Smith said: “I was very pleased with our bowling and fielding performance. To restrict them to 149 was excellent.

“Kamau [Leverock] and Terryn [Fray] took the game away from Cayman with that opening partnership [100 runs]. But I was a bit disappointed not to win by an even bigger margin. At 150 for six makes people think the game was a lot closer than it was when it was never close. We have to get more ruthless as a team but that will come with experience.

“We had six First Division players on tour, and at least five making their debuts for Bermuda, and I think they have done a remarkable job. However, they know that Malaysia is the true test and these next six weeks of preparation are going to be extremely intense.”

The World Cricket League Division Four Tournament will be held in Malaysia from April 26 to May 4, with the top two nations gaining promotion.