St.George’s Cup Match batsman Oronde Bascome has yet to turn up for training with Bermuda’s Under-19 national squad. And his absence has raised concern among the team’s coaching staff.

Two months into the Island’s Under-19 Americas Championship preparations, team skipper Bascome remains among the missing. And with Bermuda’s chances for success at this summer’s regional tournament in Toronto appearing as good as ever, management view his services vital to the young squad’s overall success.

“As far as Oronde is concerned, I don’t really know what the situation is with him. But we are hoping that once the season starts he will eventually show up for training because he is one of the senior batsmen in the team,” Under-19 coach Andre Manders told The Royal Gazette.

Bascome has been an integral part of the Under-19 national set-up since the age of 15 and has captained the team in several regional tournaments in recent years. He has also topped the team’s batting for the past three years.

There have been reports that Bascome has refused to turn up for national team practice because of Bermuda Cricket Board’s decision earlier this year to scrap his school scholarship in England.

Those claims, however, have yet to be substantiated by the Board, Under-19 team officials or Bascome who could not be reached for comment yesterday.

National coach Gus Logie said the St.George’s cricketer had always been viewed as a key player for the future. And the former West Indies vice-captain and coach hoped matters could be resolved as soon as possible.

“Oronde is definitely a part of the national cricket programme and his name has always been mentioned. And I’m certain everyone will be trying to get him on the right track,” Logie said.

“I really don’t have any details on the situation with Oronde. But I obviously feel the Board and possibly Oronde and his family can work things out in a satisfactory way.”