Bermuda are to gamble on the durability of wicketkeeper Dean Minors in the upcoming World Cricket League One-Day tournament in Kenya.

Minors was named as the only keeper in a 15-man national squad unveiled by Bermuda Cricket Board yesterday afternoon.

Having endured a poor run with bat during the tour of Africa late last year, reserve ‘keeper Kwame Tucker has been dropped and replaced by an out-and-out batsman in St. David’s’ OJ Pitcher.

While Tucker and Western Stars stumper Jekon Edness have both been placed on a list of five reserves who will remain in Bermuda, should Minors get injured it appears as if captain Irving Romaine will don the gloves for at least one of the tournament’s five games against the other leading Associate countries.

Young medium pacer Arthur Pitcher jr has been included at the expense of Ryan Steede — whose fitness and form continue to concern coach Gus Logie and his fellow selectors — while offspinner Rodney Trott has had his place snatched by another young St. David’s talent in Delyone Borden.

Pressed on whether asking Romaine to keep wicket if Minors became sidelined would risk placing too heavy a burden on the side’s captain and senior batsman, Logie said he had “no concerns” about the Bailey’s Bay stalwart’s ability to handle the task.

“We’ve got five games to play and a squad of 15 so you cannot really afford to carry two wicketkeepers,” said Logie soon after another training session with the squad in Trinidad.

“Kwame has been battling for form recently and in the circumstances we decided to consider other options. We’ve looked at Romaine as a guy who could do the job if Minors was unfit. If he has to do it, he has to do it.

“You can look at the likes of (Adam) Gilchrist who has captained Australia in one-day cricket, kept wicket and opened the batting. (Kumar) Sangakara has done it quite often for Sri Lanka as well, so it is not that unusual and we believe Romaine will be able to cope if it comes to that.”

Arthur Pitcher jr’s inclusion, meanwhile, was down to the seamer’s impressively consistent performances during training, Logie said, adding that despite his prolonged absences while at college in Florida, all-rounder Borden was still considered the team’s preferred second spinner behind Dwayne Leverock.

“I’ve been very impressed with Pitcher and his selection for the Kenya tour is truly deserved,” he said.

“He’s worked very hard in training and has done all that we have asked of him. He’s a young man with potential who will be important to the team not just now but after the World Cup as well.

“Ryan still has some injury issues with his back that he would be better off staying in Bermuda to sort out and hopefully before too long he will be in a position to put pressure on the guys that are currently in the team.

“Delyone gives us more options, not just with his offspin but also with his batting and both he and OJ have been doing well down here.”

With Malachi Jones and Stefan Kelly both included as well, Bermuda’s seam bowling attack has a youthful look to it.

All-rounder Saleem Mukuddem, who has been cleared to travel after a scan revealed no stress fracture in his troublesome back, is the only quick bowler selected over the age of 30 — a deliberate ploy, Logie said, with one eye on the future.

“The more experience these guys can get now, the better things should be when it comes around to trying to re-qualify for the World Cup in 2009,” he said.

The squad leave for Nairobi on January 24.