Under-19s face two matches in two days
Bermuda's Under-19 national cricket team will complete their tour of Trinidad with two matches in successive days, starting today with a contest against Powergen Sports Club.
Wednesday's washed-out match with Clico Preysal has now been rescheduled for tomorrow, with the team due to return home on Sunday.
Not even Wednesday's heavy downpours could dampen the tourists' spirits in the aftermath of Monday's inspiring five-wicket win over Queen's Park CC at the famous Queen's Park Oval in Port-of-Spain.
Since arriving in the Caribbean the Islanders have run a gauntlet of physical and mental exercises geared towards getting squad members in prestine shape for next February's World Cup in Malaysia.
"We have been in the nets and also been doing a lot of physical work. The guys have really trained hard," team coach Andre Manders explained.
He also described Tuesday's wash-out as a blessing in disguise as it afforded vice-captain Malachi Jones another couple of days to recover from a slight groin strain.
Jones aggravated his groin during Bermuda's opening eight-wicket loss against Connection Wanderers and did not take part in this week's second match in Port-of-Spain. However, the Southampton Rangers all rounder has since passed a fitness test and is expected to be involved in his team's final two matches on tour.
"Malachi is all ready to go," confirmed Manders, whose expected to tweak his line up for today's encounter.
Also in Trinidad with the team is Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) development director Arnold Manders who yesterday gave the tourists good grades.
Overall, the former Bermuda and Western Stars' skipper is satisfied with the teams' response on tour — but is particularly impressed with the all-round performances of promising skipper Rodney Trott who has so far led by example.
Trott has virtually carried his team with the bat, banging an unbeaten 72 in his last visit to the crease, while also holding his own in the bowling attack with his off spin offerings.
"Rodney (Trott) keeps things simple and that's what we have always encouraged him to do," Manders said. "Rodney is a bit tougher mentally than some of the others, but overall everything is coming together.
"It's been good so far. We have played against good competition, had some good net sessions and fitness workouts and so overall things have been good."