The Under-19 World Cup hopes of Somerset batsman Maurico Bassett have been shattered after the teenaged cricketer broke his foot in a bike accident last week.

Bassett, 16, had been among those challenging for a spot in the Island's Under-19 national squad set to make a first appearance in the World Cup early next year.

"Maurico broke his foot and will now be out for at least eight weeks," stated Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) director of cricket development Arnold Manders.

"By the time he gets back the team will already be picked and he will probably still have to undergo rehabilitation."

Manders said Bassett's recent mishap underscores growing concerns the Board have over Under-19 squad members riding on Bermuda's roads ahead of next year's World Cup in Malaysia.

"We have warned them from the beginning about bikes and had another talk with them last night about the same thing because some of them have been seen popping wheelies and stuff like that," he added.

"But you can't really tell them how to ride their bikes. You can only talk to them and hope for the best."

Earlier this year Under-19 vice-captain Malachi Jones had his licence revoked just weeks before accompanying the senior national squad to the World Cup in Trinidad.

Bassett toured Toronto last August where the Island's Under-19s successfully qualified for next year's cricket spectacle. And according to Manders the youngster's future in the sport appears bright.

"He is one of our younger players but has a lot of potential and is probably one of the most talented batsmen we have," he said. "He has the potential to be a good all rounder and it's sad what has happened."

Under-19 team officials have now issued fresh appeals to their players to exercise extreme caution when using Bermuda's roads. "We have warned them again and hopefully it will sink in," Manders said.