Talent alone will no longer guarantee players a spot in the national cricket squad for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup regional qualifiers, national coach Niraj Odedra has warned.

Odedra says those battling for places will ultimately be chosen based on their commitment, fitness and most importantly the ability to work harmoniously with their fellow team-mates.

“Just because they are talented, just because they are performing in local matches and are star players for Bermuda does not make them a direct entry into the squad,” Odedra told The Royal Gazette.

“They still need to work hard, they still need to stay united and not take things for granted.”

Odedra, who is fresh from winning a first-class competition in his native India, also hopes to see more senior players involved in the national set-up.

“I would still like to see more senior players getting involved and passing on their experience to the young players coming in,” he said.

“I will not name them, but they need to come up and help the youngsters and need to back themselves bigger so that they can make Bermuda better.”

It is a big year for the national team, who launch their 2024 T20 World Cup qualifying campaign in February when they take on Bahamas, Belize, Cayman Islands, Panama, Suriname and hosts Argentina in an ICC Sub-Regional Qualifier.

The top-three teams from that will then be joined by favourites Canada for the Americas Region Qualifier Finals, which will be held in Bermuda September, with the winners clinching the last World Cup qualifying spot in the Americas Region.

With Odedra’s coaching history, he is capable of identifying talented players and he is convinced that a 2024 World Cup berth can be achieved.

“I am very confident that this team can make it to the World Cup,” he said.

“I don’t see any reason why not, but for that to happen we have to have a proper process and they need to make sure they follow that process.”

Odedra's original contract of two and a half months expired in September, but he is thrilled to return with important matches on the horizon.

“For me it can’t be any more exciting because it’s a privilege,” Odedra said. “It’s always a big thing to coach a country so I am very happy about that announcement. I am very happy they want my services back. It’s always nice to know that somebody respects you and appreciates your work.”

Odedra is now awaiting for his work permit to be processed by immigration but, in the interim, national team players are going through a stringent training program he designed and which he considers vital to the island’s hopes for success.

“I was very specific to see this team’s health improve with their cricket,” Odedra said. “They need to be supremely fit and some of the boys that were with me in Jersey (ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League B) were not fit enough.

“So what I said was pick a squad of 25 to 30 players and put them with Kenny Thompson, who is a good trainer. Before I left I made sure everybody goes to his gym to work out with him on the field as well and it has been going good.

“I am in continuous touch with everybody and I am pretty happy that most of the boys are following all the fitness things I left with Kenny.”

Odedra said the majority of players have committed themselves fully and have strongly urged those who have yet to get on board to toe the line.

“I would say 60 per cent of the boys we selected are doing it seriously but 40 per cent of them who are really good cricketers are not serious,” he said.

“I would urge them it’s good if they can make themselves available for all the fitness the other people are doing because if we want to qualify for the World Cup it is extremely important that we stay united.

“Doing everything together will bring unity to the team. Fitness and unity can only help us better our performance and make us better cricketers.”

Due to the unavailability of batting facilities, the emphasis outdoors has been on fielding drills at the National Stadium North Field.

“They have done quite a few sessions with quite a few players and I am quite happy with the progress,” Odedra said.

“Even though I am not there, Calvin Waldron [assistant coach] and Courtney Trott [manager] are doing their job. They are constantly in touch with me and they are doing the best they can with the boys.”