National coach Mark Harper yesterday refused to rule out the inclusion of two of Bermuda's best young cricketers from this summer's packed schedule of international commitments - despite axing them from the national squad earlier this year for consistent non-attendance at training sessions.

Both St.David's' Delyone Borden and Somerset's Jacobi Robinson produced stellar performances over the weekend for their respective clubs, the former proving too hot to handle for an experienced Western Stars batting line-up at Lord's - recording incredible match figures of 13 for 140 - while Robinson underlined his pedigree as a genuine allrounder with a maiden century against Flatt's in the First Division.

Both of them, however, were removed in the off-season from the national squad list because of consistent non-attendance at training sessions.

But Harper yesterday told The Royal Gazette that both were still very much in his selection plans - creating genuine confusion in many quarters over what exactly it means to be publicly “axed” from the squad by the Board, only to be told that you are in fact still being considered for national team duty.

Borden's performances this season, meanwhile, have undoubtedly put pressure on the national selectors to at least consider his reinstatement.

It is no great secret that his club skipper and national team captain Clay Smith is one of his biggest admirers and could be expected to ultimately push for his inclusion.

Smith referred to Borden on Sunday after his match-winning performance in the two-day league as an “exciting talent” and claimed that his young charge was improving by “leaps and bounds” with every passing week.

Despite the exclusion of a number of players from the original squad list which was announced late last year, the former Guyanese first class player insisted that the door was still open for those currently not invited to train.

“We are continually reviewing the situation in terms of the players fitness and form,” he said.

“Delyone was cut in February simply because he was not turning up - but that does not mean he will not come into consideration for the various competitions we will be involved in. At this point in time nothing has been finalised in terms of squads and we are not going to rule anybody out.”

Harper warned however, that he and the Board would continue to consider players only on the basis of effort and attendance at scheduled sessions.

“Those players who do not demonstrate the necessary commitment to the programme will not play, but we also need to keep our options open in case of injury and unavailability,” he argued.

Borden meanwhile, yesterday expressed a keen desire to play for Bermuda this summer.

“If I was invited to come back and train with the national team I would be more than happy to get involved,” he said.

“In the winter when the squad was training, my back was bothering me. Since then I've recovered and am feeling great. I'm bowling well and I'm confident with my form.”