Delray Rawlins has been named captain of a new-look Bermuda team ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup Americas Sub-Regional Qualifiers in Argentina next month.

The Sussex all-rounder, 25, replaces Kamau Leverock, who retains his place in a 15-man squad that contains a few new faces as well as some who are back in the national set-up after some years.

Prominent are the Somerset pair Matty Watson and Jacob Albertze, who set the domestic T20 circuit alight last season, having been lured from the Evening League

Meanwhile, seam bowler Justin Pitcher, slow left-arm Derrick Brangman, of St David’s, and wicketkeeper Sinclair Smith, of St George’s, are back in a Bermuda squad for the first time since the first leg of the ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League B in Oman in 2019.

Arnold Manders, president of the Bermuda Cricket Board, explained the reasoning behind the change in captaincy, while remaining steadfast in his belief that Rawlins will be able to give his full attention to the role leading up to the qualifying campaign despite commitments with Sussex.

“We wanted to use his great professional experience playing overseas in England and to use his vast knowledge to help the rest of the guys,” said Manders. “Obviously Delray is under contract with Sussex but we had a meeting and he is really excited about these qualifiers and ready to go to work as captain of Bermuda and hopefully get us to a World Cup.

“In terms of the captaincy change, and I've explained to some of the players, I used my own experience to make a decision. In the future the captain and squad will be spoken to in reference to the selection of vice-captain.

“These are things that happen but the main part is that setbacks make you stronger mentally, only the fit survive and that's what we need the players to understand.

“Those who get to the top are mentally strong, setbacks don't hold them back, they find a way to get to the top and that's we want from the team.”

The squad will be finalised by January 26 ahead of flying to the United States on February 15 for three friendly matches before going on to South America for another warm-up game, with the qualifiers beginning on February 25.

The campaign will feature Bermuda taking on Bahamas, Belize, Cayman Islands, Panama, Surinam and hosts Argentina. The top three teams will be joined by favourites Canada for the regional finals, which will be held in Bermuda in September, with the winners clinching the last World Cup qualifying spot. United States have qualified as joint hosts.

One possible omission from the travelling party to the United States will be head coach Niraj Odedra, with Cal Blankedal, executive director of the BCB, explaining issues with the Indian native's work permit application have caused a delay in him being a granted a visa to travel to the US. Instead it is expected that he will meet the squad in Argentina, with Cal Waldron leading the team in his absence.

“We have very stringent rules for overseas nationals looking to work in Bermuda and so even though we are a national body, we have to follow the same rules as any other employer on island,” he said. “We have received notice that his work permit is being reviewed and believe there will be no obstacles. Most likely he will meet the team in the Argentina.

“As an Indian national he doesn't have the ease of travel as say a Bermudian or British national, so he has to receive a visa from the UK or US governemnt to travel to Bermuda. That can take some time and, so until we officially have a work permit in our hands, he cannot take that permit to use it to get a visa.

“There are some obstacles in that regard but we talk on a daily basis; he's been here before so knows the players and we believe we are going to have some success.

“Cal Waldron is the acting head coach on island and will take charge of the team in the US but in Argentina he will be the assistant coach.”

With the squad being whittled down to 14 players and competition for places fierce before flying out to South America, Dwayne Leverock, head of the National Team Selection Committee, has assured each player will be given a chance to impress.

“Every player in the 15 will have an opportunity to play,” he said. “I'm not saying that someone isn't going to be upset to not make it but we have to understand that this is the first stage in a long marathon.

“The finish line is trying to qualify for the World Cup and there are various stages along the way. This is just the first, so the same team that goes to Argentina may not be the same that plays here or goes to the World Cup.“

Despite a lack of domestic game time for the majority of the squad and with the added pressure and incentive of the regional finals being held on island, Manders is confident the players will be up to speed by the time they reach Argentina.

“I don't want to underestimate our opposition but I think if we can get those four friendly matches under our belts, that we'll be fine and ready,” he added. “We're looking to finish first and certainly not below third and so it is up to the players.

“I believe that they have have the ability to win the tournament and so they have to make sure they don't underestimate the opposition and understand what needs to be done.“

Full squad

Delray Rawlins (captain, Sussex CCC)

Kamau Leverock (Handsworth CC)

Tre Manders (Western Stars SC)

Terryn Fray (Bailey's Bay CC)

Allan Douglas Jr (St George’s CC)

Dominic Sabir (Somerset CC)

Jacob Albertze (Somerset CC)

Matthew Watson (Somerset CC)

Justin Pitcher (St David’s CCC)

Zeko Burgess (St George’s CC)

Sinclair Smith (St George’s CC)

Jarryd Richardson (Bailey’s Bay CC)

Derrick Brangman (St David’s CCC)

Charles Trott (Southampton Rangers SC)

Malachi Jones (Warwick Workmen’s Club)

Standby:

Jabari Darrell (St George's CC)

Cejay Outerbridge (St David’s CCC)

Alje Richardson (Somerset CC)

Stefan Kelly (Newport Cricket Club)

Management

Niraj Odedra (head coach)

Cal Waldron (assistant coach)

Courtney Trott (manager)