Bermuda Under-19 vice-captain Malachi Jones is expected to return to his team's line-up for tomorrow's one-dayer against Clico Preysal in Trinidad.

The 2007 World Cup star has been recovering from a slight groin strain that ruled him out of Bermuda's inspiring five-wicket win over Queen's Park CC in Port-of-Spain earlier this week.

Speaking from the team's base in Trinidad yesterday, national coach Gus Logie said: "Malachi has yet to come into his own. He has been working hard but felt a little tired after the first game (against Connection Wanderers) and picked up a slight groin strain.

"We decided to rest him yesterday (Monday) and trust that he will be ready to play back-to-back matches on Thursday and Friday." Over the past two days Jones has been in the good care of Trinidadian physio Clinton Jeremiah and is expected to undergo a fitness test today. Logie is confident the budding all rounder will pass the test with flying colours.

He said: "Malachi does look good and will be doing a workout today with the physio. He has had three days' rest and so we believe he will be ready for Thursday."

In Jones' absence Bermuda skipper Rodney Trott has held the slack and is fresh off a classy unbeaten half-century (72) that propelled Bermuda to victory at Queen's Park Oval last Monday.

"Rodney is really and truly ahead of his peers at this particular point in time in terms of his performances and maturity. He's leading by example and we trust that others will follow suit because there are others in the team with just as much ability that we hope can also apply themselves," Logie said.

So far on tour Logie said the tourists have acquitted themselves admirably overall, and have also been keen to digest the knowledge being served by the likes of former West Indies cricketers Derryck Murray, Tony Gray and Larry Gomes. "We trust that this information will put the guys in good stead in the future and we are trying to get them to be the best they can be because there are a lot of opportunities out there for them to capitalise on," Logie said.

"All they have to do is stay focused and commit themselves and be hungry for success because basically the world is out there for them to conquer. And we are keen to see them improve; not just as cricketers. . . . but also as good citizens." Emphasis, Logie said, has also been placed on physical sharpness.

He added: "The guys have been doing a lot of conditioning work because we are trying to get them as fit as possible both physically and mentally. And overall their response has been pretty positive."