Top all-rounders Malachi Jones and OJ Pitcher have been ruled out of Bermuda's 2011 World Cup qualifying campaign, Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) director Arnold Manders has confirmed.

The talented cricketers were members of the historical national squad who represented Bermuda at the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies. But school commitments abroad have put paid to any plans the pair might have had of playing in the World Cup qualifiers in South Africa in April.

"As it stands right now, Malachi and OJ have been ruled out of our World Cup qualifying plans. It's unfortunate but at this time school has to take precedence over cricket," ex-Bermuda skipper Manders told The Royal Gazette.

"They are both in school and the Board are going to leave it as it is because they have obligations to fulfil in school. Once they achieve that, we will welcome them back in the programme."

Southampton Rangers' player Jones rose to overnight fame after claiming the wicket of India's Robin Uthappa with his first delivery on his World Cup debut at Queen's Park Oval in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.

He also represented Bermuda at last year's Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia.

Manders added: "They are two exceptionally talented players and I am sure they will be missed. The Board want to ensure they get their education first and they still have a long future in cricket ahead of them. We just have to go on with what we have."

Earlier this week it was revealed the Board had trimmed a provisional squad of 30 players down to 19, the bulk of whom have been fully contracted for the next three months as the Island's Cup preparations continue to shift into high gear.

"It is very important that the guys train together to get that cohesiveness as it's very difficult to prepare for a tournament when you have to work, deal with family matters and then go training," Manders explained.

"Now we have taken that pressure off the players by having them contracted and getting paid for something they like to do.

"And all in all we are quite happy with the progress being made so far, but we still think there could be some improvement in the effort."

Manders said Bermuda's 15-man World Cup qualifying squad would be finalised next month. He also warned those currently under contract not to be lured into a false sense of belief that they were "indispensable".

"The 19 players that have been chosen are the 19 players that have the best shot at making the team," he noted. "But that is only as long as they fulfil their obligations with their contract. And they have already been told nothing is cast in stone and that nobody is indispensable.

"This is basically like a job and there could be some additions. The players are on contract but if they continually fail to meet the obligations of their contract then there is a chance they can be removed from the programme and someone else drafted in."

The Island's provisional qualifying squad depart for the Caribbean on January 29 for a month-long 13-match tour encompassing Trinidad, St.Lucia, St.Vincent and Grenada.

Bermuda squad: Irving Romaine (captain), Lionel Cann, Dwayne Leverock, Rodney Trott, Chris Douglas, Glenn Blakeney, Tamauri Tucker, Justin Pitcher, Stephen Outerbridge, Stefan Kelly, Jekon Edness (wicketkeeper), Oronde Bascome, Kevin Hurdle, Kyle Hodsoll, Delyone Borden, Janeiro Tucker, Fiqre Crockwell, David Hemp, George O'Brien jr.