Arnold Manders, Bermuda Cricket Board's (BCB) development director, believes promising St.George's Cricket Club wicketkeeper/batsman Sinclair Smith has been snubbed for the captaincy of an Americas Region Development Select that will compete in this month's Clico Under-15 tournament in Barbados.

It was announced earlier this week that Toronto Cricket Academy all-rounder Nitesh Kumar would lead the Americas squad in the Caribbean. However, Manders felt that honour should have gone to a Bermudian instead, especially given that the Islanders have dominated the region for the past several years.

"Our players are held in high esteem and that's why I question why Sinclair wasn't appointed captain," argued Manders.

"I think what we have to remember is that Bermuda have only lost one game in the past six years in our region (at Under-15 level)."

Smith has been appointed as Kumar's deputy in a team also consisting of Bermudian fast bowler Damila Bell, all-rounder Joshua Gilbert and batsman Shea Pitcher.

That aside, Manders said the upcoming tournament would provide the Bermudian quartet with an ideal opportunity to broaden their cricket horizons against some of the world's elite players at that level.

"Tournaments like this provide an opportunity for our boys to experience other cultures and make friends with their fellow peers from around the world," he added. "The Under-15 Clico tournament will provide an opportunity for our boys to test their skills against some of the best players in the world in their age group.

"Hopefully they will use this opportunity to assess their game and improve on their weaknesses so that they will be able to compete at the highest level. We wish them all of the best and hope that they will be true ambassadors for Bermuda."

Bermuda's senior national team manager Lionel Tannock has been appointed manager of the Americas Development squad who face ICC Associate powerhouses Kenya in their opening tournament match on April 20 in Barbados.