Excluded from the Bermuda national squad last season because of suspension, top batsman Clay Smith of St. David's has made a return.

Smith is among a party of 34 named by Bermuda Cricket of Control to train for the national team's busy international schedule this summer which will feature a tournament in Canada in August and a trip to the Red Stripe Bowl in the Caribbean afterwards.

It was Smith's five-match ban last year that led to his exclusion from the squad that went to the Red Stripe Bowl in Guyana -- his omission coming when he appeared to have the inside track to the captaincy which was later given to veteran batsman Charlie Marshall.

BCBC president El James put no significance on Smith's inclusion this time around nor that of any other new face in the squad, claiming the selection committee picked the players who they felt would serve their country best.

"All players were chosen on merit, nothing else. Clay Smith is one of the best batsmen on the Island and nobody should be surprised that he is included,'' said James.

Among the new faces is top allrounder Richard Basden, a player who has shown little interest in representing his country in the past but who is now understood to be keen to earn a place in the side.

His older brother Dexter has also been included, as has Glenn Blakeney of Bailey's Bay who missed last year's Red Stripe.

Many of the veterans who went to Guyana a year ago have also been given a another chance at the national level. They include Dennis Archer, Keith Wainwright, Peter Philpott, David Greenidge and Dexter Smith.

However, one noticeable absentee from last year's squad is Cleon Scotland of Western Stars.

Veteran opening bat Allen Richardson, who has regularly been among the runs for St. David's this season, also caught the eye of selectors. At 41 he is the oldest member of the squad.

Among the young blood are St. David's trio Chris Foggo, O.J.Pitcher and Landro Minors of St. David's, Mackie Crane of St. George's, Philip Thomas of Western Stars and Somerset's Michael Donawa, but these players may have been chosen primarily to gain experience from training with the more senior members.

The full squad is as follows: Charlie Marshall, Irving Romaine, Dennis Archer, Kwame Tucker, Dean Minors, Peter Philpott, Janeiro Tucker, David Greenidge, Sammy Robinson, Dexter Smith, Richard Basden, Tucoma Robinson, Keith Wainwright, Charles Swan, Michael Donawa, Landro Minors, Herbie Bascome, Clay Smith, Lionel Cann, Albert Steede, Mark Ray, Clarkie Trott, Aaron Adams, Dexter Basden, Del Hollis, Chris Foggo, Oliver Pitcher Jr, Glenn Blakeney, Hasan Durham, Mark Trott, Mackie Crane, Gregg Foggo, Philip Thomas, Allen Richardson.