Flatts opening batter Jan-Johan Nel has been picked to play for Bermuda against an Americas Select in two T20 friendly matches at North Field National Sports Centre on Wednesday and Thursday.

The South Africa-born opener, who is not yet eligible to play for Bermuda in international cricket, has been one of the standout performers in the three seasons he has spent with Flatts. The 30-year-old is one of the 13 players selected in Cal Waldron’s side for the two matches.

Jonté Smith, who represented Bermuda at under-15 level in cricket before he chose a football career, has been given a chance to impress the national selectors.

The St George’s all-rounder has expressed his desire to play for the Bermuda cricket team.

With the matches likely to be used as an audition for the national squad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Americas Sub-regional Qualifier, to be held in Argentina at the end of the year, Smith is out to catch the eyes of the selectors.

The 30-year-old Smith is also playing for St George’s against the same opponents in another T20 at Wellington Oval on Saturday.

“I would love to represent Bermuda in cricket, it’s my dream,’’ Smith told The Royal Gazette.

“I would definitely be available if selected to be a part of the team. I played for Bermuda in the U15s in cricket, that’s as far as I went before I chose football.”

Also named in the team is Dalin Richardson, the Southampton Rangers captain, who has not been part of the national team since 2022. Azendé Furbert gets an opportunity to get in the runs after a tough season for Bailey’s Bay.

The rest of the players, including captain Delray Rawlins, were part of Waldron’s side for ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League Play-off in Malaysia.

Missing from that team that went to Malaysia are Terryn Fray, Tre Manders, Chare Smith, Sinclair Smith, who has just recovered from injury, and Kamau Leverock, who announced his retirement on social media after Bermuda’s failure to progress to the next stage.

Players from Argentina, Brazil, Canada and Falkland Islands make up the Americas select side. They will be coached by renowned mentor Mahesh Hatkar.

The Indian has worked with the Bermuda team senior men’s team in his native country and is now offering his expertise to the under-19 men’s national select side.