Delray Rawlins out as Bermuda captain for T20 World Cup qualifiers – The Royal Gazette

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Updated: Nov 09, 2024 08:13 AM

Terryn Fray now the main man for Bermuda (Photograph by Akil Simmons)

Terryn Fray will captain the Bermuda cricket team at the ICC T20 World Cup Americas Sub-Regional Qualifier in Argentina next month.

Fray replaces Delray Rawlins, who is not travelling to South America for the tournament, which will feature Bermuda playing eight matches against Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Brazil, the Cayman Islands, Mexico, Panama and Suriname.

While the losses of Rawlins, Allan Douglas Jr and Chris Douglas means the absence of some hugely experienced players, there are some familiar names returning to international duty in Dion Stovell and Onias Bascome.

Commenting on the absence of Rawlins, coach Cal Waldron said that the all-rounder did not make himself available for selection.

“We picked players that made themselves available and Delray wasn’t available,” Waldron told The Royal Gazette. “He hasn’t been training with the rest of the squad.”

“We would have loved to have him in the team, but now we have to play without him.

“I’m not going to take away his capabilities but when that person isn’t there, the game goes on. In future, I think he’ll make himself available.

“The selection committee and the high-performance committee put together a good list of players from which we selected our squad.

“The decision to appoint Fray as captain was made by the high-performance committee.”

Waldron, who is cognisant of the progress being made by the countries that they will be facing, declared that they are going to Argentina to win that stage of the qualifier. Finishing in the top three will allow Waldron’s side a chance to head to Canada next year, where the winner of that final qualifier will secure the Americas ticket to the 2026 T20 World Cup.

“We want to finish on top of the group,” the coach said. “We’re not expecting any light opposition, everybody’s improving and getting better.

“We know that we’re up against stiff opposition. We have to prepare our game plan and prepare to play competitive cricket.

“We’ve been training for two months with two nights a week and Sunday mornings. The commitment has been even from those who did not get picked.

“We leave on November 29 and we have two practice matches out there before the tournament starts.”

Bascome, who last played for Bermuda three years ago in Antigua, is confident that he will deliver in Argentina.

“It feels good to be able to represent Bermuda again, especially after coming off winning the T20 for the last three years,” the St George’s captain said.

“Since we’re going to a T20 tournament, I’m feeling very confident. We picked a very good team with committed players.

“It’s just about getting the right team together, gelling together and focusing on the main goal, which is to qualify for the next round of the World Cup qualifiers.

“There are still some discussions in terms of the batting order. Wherever I’m put in the order, I feel confident of bringing success to the batting and scoring some runs in Argentina.

“This will be my first time going to Argentina; hopefully, there are some nice wickets down there for me to get some runs.

The 29-year-old is one of four St George’s players picked in the final squad of 14. Jonté Smith, Sinclair Smith and Zeko Burgess are the others in the side.

Kevon Fubler, the Willow Cuts spinner who spent the second half of last season on loan to St George’s, has also won a call-up.

“It’s nice to see a few St George’s players in the squad,” Bascome added. “We’re looking for more St George’s players to push through and try to get into the national team.

“We are looking to bring our experience in T20 and put our best foot forward for Bermuda.”

Squad

Terryn Fray (Bailey’s Bay, captain)

Derrick Brangman (St David’s)

Onias Bascome (St George’s)

Dion Stovell (Cleveland)

Jermal Proctor (Somerset)

Tre Manders (Western Stars)

Zeko Burgess (St George’s)

Jarryd Richardson (Bailey’s Bay)

Kevon Fubler (Willow Cuts)

Jonté Smith (St George’s)

Sinclair Smith (Bailey’s Bay)

Alex Dore (Somerset)

Dominic Sabir (Somerset)

Chare Smith (Uphill Castle, England)

Head coach: Cal Waldron

Assistant coach: Janeiro Tucker

Manager: Courtney Trott