HAMILTON, Feb 13: There were few surprises when Bermuda announced on Monday their 15-member squad to take part in the World Cup which is being staged in the Caribbean for the first time.

The Bermudians have retained all but one of the players that contested the ICC World Cricket League Division 1 competition earlier this month.

Batsman Oliver Pitcher, who missed the WCL because of injury, has been included ahead of Arthur Pitcher Jr.

Most of the players virtually picked themselves and have occupied spots in the team ever since the tiny island nation located in the Northern Atlantic Ocean gained a place in World Cup two years ago.

Irving Romaine will captain the side with wicket-keeper/batsman Dean Minors as his deputy.

There is also room in the squad for left-handed batsman David Hemp, Born in Bermuda, the 36-year-old Hemp is currently the captain of English county side, Glamorgan.

The squad also includes South Africa-born all-rounder Saleem Mukuddem, and 17-year-old all-rounder Malachi Jones, whose selection will make him one of the youngest players to appear in the global event.

Bermuda are making their first appearance at the Cricket World Cup and will contest Group-B of the championship in Trinidad, where they face Sri Lanka, India, and Bangladesh.

The Bermudians play warm-up matches against England and Zimbabwe in St. Vincent on March 5 and 8.

Squad: Irving Romaine (captain), Dean Minors (vice-captain), Delyone Borden, Lionel Cann, David Hemp, Kevin Hurdle, Malachi Jones, Stefan Kelly, Dwayne Leverock, Saleem Mukuddem, Stephen Outerbridge, Oliver Pitcher, Clay Smith, Janeiro Tucker, Kwame Tucker.—AFP