Dean Minors' intended national team comeback has been stifled through work commitments.

The 38-year-old wicketkeeper/batsman had come out of retirement to challenge for a spot on Bermuda's Stanford 20/20 squad after retiring following last year's World Cup.

However, work commitments have resulted in Minors having to shelve plans to travel to the Caribbean next month with the Island's 13-man Stanford 20/20 squad that will take on defending champions Guyana in Antigua February 10.

Earlier this week West Indies star batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul warned his Guyana teammates not to take Bermuda's potentially explosive batting lineup, that contains the destructive Lionel Cann, for granted.

"Bermuda have some big guys who can hit the ball pretty far. They are more suited to the short version of the game," Chanderpaul told The Royal Gazette. "They played in the last World Cup so they have that experience and they will come looking to upset us."

But with Minors now out of the picture Chanderpaul and his teammates will have one less threat to contend with when they come up against a new-look Bermuda next month.

"Obviously the selectors would've preferred to have Dean in the squad, but he had to withdraw and that forced us to go with what we have," chairman of selectors Arnold Manders said.

It goes without saying that Minors' late withdrawal has robbed Bermuda of a key component and his services, either behind the stumps or with the willow, will be missed as the Islanders go in search of an upset against the defending champions.

Manders, though, has every ounce of faith in those who have now been asked to "rise" for the big occasion.

"Dean made himself unavailable because of work commitments at his job (CedarBridge Academy).

"He had to pull out of the squad because at the moment cricket is taking up too much of his time," the former Western Stars and Bermuda skipper explained.

In Minors' absence the selectors have pinned their hopes instead on St. David's all rounder Sammy Robinson who, if he can get stuck in, can be a handful on any given day.

The former Somerset Cup Match player is capable of facing the newer ball or, should the need arise, be called upon the beat the leather lower down the order.

Bermuda's Stanford 20/20 squad depart for Jamaica February 2 where they will play three 20/20 practise matches against a Jamaican Select February 3rd, 4th and 5th before arriving in Antigua February 7 to begin final preparations for their match against a Guyana squad bolstered by West Indies trio Ramnaresh Sarwan, Sewnarine Chattergoon and the inform Chanderpaul.

Meanwhile, Bermuda skipper Irving Romaine will fly the Island's banner during today's opening Stanford 20/20 ceremony at the refurbished Stanford 20/20 Ground in Antigua, a venue where the tourists hope to improve on a humbling nine-wicket thrashing at the hands of a Chris Gayle - led Jamaica two years ago after being skittled out for a paltry 74.

On that occasion West Indies pacer Jerome Taylor ran through Bermuda's order on the way to grabbing man-of-the-match figures of five for 10 before Windies teammates Gayle (40) and Marlon Samuels (25) polished off Jamaica's convincing victory in a mere 5.5 overs.

Bermuda's Stanford 20/20 squad is coached by assistant national coach Herbie Bascome who was recently appointed coach of former powerhouse Western Stars.