Irving Romaine will lead Bermuda's charge to secure a place at the next World Cup in 2011, but fast bowler Kevin Hurdle has been left out of the squad for the qualifiers in South Africa next month after failing to recover from a string of injuries.

The squad, which was announced yesterday, has a good blend of youth and experience with seven members surviving from the World Cup in 2007.

David Hemp has been confirmed as vice-captain of a squad that includes the likes of Lionel Cann, Janeiro Tucker and George O'Brien.

Hurdle managed to bowl just six overs during the recent tour of the Caribbean before pulling up with a groin strain. He had been taken on tour after assuring national coach Gus Logie that he was fit, only for Logie to discover that he hadn't completely recovered from knee and shoulder injuries.

Hurdle is not the only player to have missed out because of fitness concerns, burly fast bowler Jacobi Robinson has also been left out because selectors believe he is 'a little on the heavy side'.

There had also been rumours that the selectors were poised to drop Dwayne Leverock from the team, but the actions of Delyone Borden appear to have saved Leverock's bacon. Leverock will be part of a three-pronged spin attack that also includes Rodney Trott and Tamauri Tucker.

"Jacobi hasn't met the standards that we expected from him weight wise," said Lionel Thomas, the chairman of selectors.

"He tends to get injuries pretty often and we believe that is connected to his weight. He's a bit on the heavy side.

"We took all the spinners into consideration and we told them before the tour started that they would all have equal opportunity. We basically stuck to that, and things transpired that made it a lot easier for us."

Romaine's inclusion may raise a few eyebrows in certain circles given his current poor form with the bat. The Bermuda skipper averaged just 17 on the tour to the Caribbean, and in nine innings failed to score more than three on six occasions.

However, Logie is backing his captain to come good when it counts, and believes that Romaine more than makes up for his lack of runs in other areas.

"You always have doubts with individuals when they are not producing runs," said Logie, "but then you look at the other areas where they are really and truly pulling their weight.

"Irving has always been a team person, he has always been the leader of the team.

"A lot of the youngsters look up to him, and we have seen his performances in the past, when it really matters, he has done well for the team. His success rate as a captain over the last few seasons has been pretty good, and so with the experienced players that we have in the team (David) Hemp, Lionel (Cann), and the support below that, at this point Irving is the right choice."

One player who did take his chance to impress on tour was Fiqre Crockwell. The batsman averaged nearly 30, hitting a top score of 91, and was the only player to feature in all 11 games on tour. His inclusion also gives Logie options behind the stumps, with Crockwell able to back up specialist wicketkeeper Jekon Edness.

Given the injuries that have plagued Hurdle over the past 18 months, a question mark would appear to be hanging over his long-term international future. And while Logie left the door open for him to return, he said the emphasis was very much on Hurdle to work harder on his fitness.

"Kevin Hurdle is an individual who we really felt highly of, from his past performances in the team as a fast bowler," said Logie.

"We took him to the Caribbean and after further assessment we realised that some of the injuries had not properly healed.

"So he was basically in rehab situation (at the start of the tour).

"We got to the point where we felt he was able to play, when Hurdle was first selected to represent Bermuda in St Vincent it was then learnt that some of his equipment hadn't yet arrived. Obviously that was disappointing to us.

"Again we allowed it to slide, we went to Grenada and in his first game he bowled six overs, and he looked pretty good, coming out of the six overs.

"We had a rest day and by the next game he bowled two balls and he pulled up with a groin injury.

"And at the end of the day, that could (effect him) until the end of this tour (to South Africa).

"I don't think it is the end for him, it's up to Kevin. At the end of the day I still believe that he could be an asset to Bermuda cricket, once Kevin focuses on getting himself fit.

"But in the end it is a decision for Kevin himself."