Trinidad Tri-Series analysis
Following is an analysis of each player's performance during the one warm-up game and three Tri-Series matches in Trinidad:
Kwame Tucker
Runs: 13
Average: 4.3
Catches: 3
Assessment: A blow to the forearm during an early practice session precluded his involvement in the warm-up game against Clarke Road United, but once he was fit his tour was a disaster. Asked to open the batting, he did not pass double figures in any of his three innings. Clearly talented, Tucker will be kicking himself that he did not take advantage of such a glorious opportunity to stake a claim to a regular slot in the top order. A strained groin muscle in the final game against Zimbabwe also means he could be on the sidelines for some time.
Daniel Morgan
Runs: 7
Average: 2.3
Catches: 0
Assessment: One of three top order batsmen who never made it into double figures, the former team physio will be lucky to hold on to his place once the likes of Delyone Borden, OJ Pitcher, Clay Smith and David Hemp come into the fold. He has filled in respectably up to now, but this may have been one tour too far.
Saleem Mukuddem
Runs: 80
Average: 20
Wickets: 4
Catches: 1
Assessment: The South African all-rounder had a reasonable tour, playing an active part with both bat and ball. Though he started well with a fifty against Clarke Road United, after that he struggled to impose himself against better attacks, exemplified by his painstaking 25 off 65 balls in the Tri-Series final. He did a commendable job in every game with the ball, though he will want to cut out that one boundary ball an over which consistently undermines his best efforts to build up pressure.
Irving Romaine
Runs: 141
Average: 35.25
Wickets: 3
Catches: 0
Assessment: The highest overall run scorer, the vice-captain showed glimpses of just how good a batsman he could be without really delivering the big knock which would have underlined his class. He got tied down in the final which is rare, but otherwise looked to have an impressive range of strokes all around the wicket. His bowling in the final was Bermuda's saving grace - he and the coaching staff might want to take this part of his game more seriously.
Janeiro Tucker
Runs: 106
Average: 35.3
Wickets: 4
Catches: 1
Assessment: Apart from an undefeated half century in the practice match, the skipper rather flattered to deceive with the bat, getting starts but never really going on. He did well operating as the fifth bowler when required and captained the side adequately. His knee, however, is still causing him discomfort - something which will have to be watched closely in such a hectic and important cricketing year.
Azeem Pitcher
Runs: 7
Average: 1.75
Catches: 2
Assessment: Oh dear. Another batsmen unable to reach double figures in any of his four visits to the crease, Pitcher looked out of his depth in the Tri-Series, particularly when starting against spin. On the plus side, his fielding was first-class - a rarity in a team which struggled to cope with the athleticism of Zimbabwe's young pups.
Dean Minors
Runs: 128
Average: 64
Catches: 2
Stumpings: 2
Assessment: The player of the tour by quite some considerable distance, Minors was an inspiration: ‘keeping immaculately and along with Lionel Cann wresting victory from the jaws of defeat against Canada. As a batsman he could slot in anywhere in the order and do well and he may well be called into service once again as an opener if the search for an effective partnership continues to falter. Bermuda would be half the side without him.
Dwayne Leverock
Runs: 2
Average: 2
Wickets: 1
Catches: 0
Assessment: Though the statistics do not immediately reflect it, Sluggo was his usual self with the ball in the three games he played in, with his spell of one for 14 against the Canadians a truly extraordinary effort. He was unlucky not to have taken a few more wickets, but once again he was setting the standard in terms of accuracy and control.
Treadwell Gibbons jr
Runs: 39
Average: 13
Catches: 0
Assessment: Though his patient 33 against Zimbabwe in the round-robin match hinted at some potential, otherwise Gibbons' performances were in keeping with the dismal showings of all Bermuda's young guns. Solid and capable of playing some nice shots in the V, Gibbons currently lacks the range of stroke and the ability to rotate the strike to be considered a real asset. A personable guy with a good head on his shoulders, he has the temperament to succeed at a national team level.
Ryan Steede
Runs: 2
Average 2
Wickets: 1
Catches: 0
Assessment: At times he was steady and at times he was wayward - though what was clear is that Steede is not the answer to Bermuda's new ball shortcomings. Though he was not alone in this regard, the Bailey's Bay seamer bowled far too many boundary balls and was treated in general with the disdain his indiscipline deserved. Tall and long-limbed, he has the physical attributes but not the action to bowl quickly, and at a little above medium pace, he will get punished by good international players.
Kevin Hurdle
Runs: -
Average: -
Wickets: 4
Catches: 0
Assessment: Like Steede, Hurdle was conspicuously below par in Trinidad, lacking rhythm and confidence. Although he had the happy knack of getting among the wickets even when bowling poorly, his omission from the important games indicated that Hurdle's star is falling fast. Frustratingly, he is capable of bowling wicket-taking balls and causing even the best players problems. Again though he is simply not accurate or disciplined enough to be consistently successful on the international stage and he will have to do something special over the next few months to convince the selectors he is worthy of a World Cup berth.
Hasan Durham
Runs: 10
Average: 5
Wickets: 4
Catches: 1
Assessment: A late arrival having missed the early part of the tour because of work commitments, Durham was dependable and consistent with his left-arm spin. Though he was smashed out of the attack by Zimbabwe in the first game, he picked himself up to bowl as well as anybody in the final. Over the course of the next few tours, Durham will have to fight off a challenge from Delyone Borden for the second spinner's slot, with the latter's superior batting likely to count against the Western Stars stalwart.
George O'Brien jr
Runs: 16
Average: -
Wickets: 4
Catches: 2
Assessment: The find of the tour. Though his potential has always bee unquestioned, fears abounded beforehand that the young paceman would wilt if Canada's big-hitting captain John Davison got after him on his debut. Not a bit of it. O'Brien bowled with pace, movement and accuracy in each of the three games he played and was the one seam bowler on show capable of making good players look hurried. He produced an absolute gem of a delivery to bowl Davison in the first match of the Tri-Series, making light of any debut jitters. His catching in the outfield was also impressive, while he showed he could bat a bit too with an entertaining cameo of 16 not out in the final. Could open the bowling for Bermuda for the next few years barring injury. By his own admission, his overall fitness is one area that needs immediate attention.
Lionel Cann
Runs: 72
Average: 72
Catches: 2
Assessment: He came in at number eight against Canada to finish the game along with Minors under the most intense pressure. An absolutely indispensable member of the lower order, his presence will be sorely missed on the UK tour as he has minor surgery on a troublesome groin which hampered him throughout his time in Trinidad. Despite the pain, he delivered when it mattered most and still moved freely enough in the field to pull off a couple of spectacular catches. Where he will fit in once Smith and Hemp slot into the line-up is not yet clear, but his presence is still an absolute must.