There was shock and dismay among the Bermuda contingent in Trinidad yesterday after teenagers Stefan Kelly and Malachi Jones as well as back-up wicketkeeper Kwame Tucker were all left out of the Island’s World Cup team for the final game against Bangladesh.

With virtually nothing left to play for other than pride, it was anticipated that the trio would be included for the last Group B match at the Queen’s Park Oval.

And coach Gus Logie had strongly hinted last week that both Kelly and Tucker, the only players to have missed out in the first two group matches, would be given their chance.

“I think it’s fair to say that at this stage of our development it is necessary to give everybody an opportunity,” Logie had told The Royal Gazette.

“I think all of the players are working hard and proving themselves and I think it’s only fair that we as selectors give them the opportunity to perform out in the middle.”

But for whatever reason,Tucker and Kelly were again overlooked while young Jones was dropped in favour of the returning Saleem Mukuddem, who was suspended for the match against India. Mukuddem responded with superb figures of three for 19 off his five overs.

When pressed for comment, chairman of national team selectors Arnold Manders seemed visibly upset over the matter but he refused to divulge any details surrounding the decision.

But team selection did not sit well with some of those sitting in the stands.

“I really expected to see Stefan, Tucker and Malachi all playing today. Jones and Kelly, in particular, are the future and so I figured Logie would have given them a run-out today,” commented former Western Stars batsman Gregory Sampson.

“I certainly would’ve liked to have seen them get a taste of the World Cup so they could’ve at least taken the experience back home with them.”

Only four days ago Winnie Jones, grandmother of promising fast bowler Jones, sat proudly in the stands as her grandson claimed a World Cup scalp on his debut against India. Yesterday she sat in the same stand completely baffled as to the young cricketer’s omission.

“I am really disappointed to tell you the honest truth. I think this is terrible because Malachi should’ve played based on the fact that he had a very good match against India,” she argued.

Jones rose to overnight fame at the Oval after claiming the wicket of Indian opener Robin Uthappa with his first delivery. He also held two catches in the deep.

“Malachi had a really good game and I know he was looking forward to playing again,” Jones’ mother Nicole Iris said.

“I was also hoping to see Stefan Kelly play today, but still looking forward to watching Bermuda put on a great performance against Bangladesh.”

Former Southampton Rangers all-rounder Sheridan Raynor was also stumped over the selectors’ decision not to give everybody on tour an opportunity to play.

“I was very surprised because I thought all of the youngsters would be playing today. The others haven’t really done anything,” he said. “I am very shocked. I don’t know what happened or what changed the selectors’ minds. But whether we like it or not we must go along with the selection committee’s decision, although I don’t agree with it.

“The other players haven’t really struck any form, and so I think they (selectors) could’ve afforded to play those three chaps.”