Kamau Leverock has made a surprise U-turn to make himself available to play in the ICC Men’s World Challenge League play-off in Malaysia.

Just a month after informing the Bermuda Cricket Board that he was unavailable for the national team, the 29-year-old was included in the 14-man squad that will attempt to retain their position in the ICC Challenge League with a top-four finish in the eight-team competition.

Recently appointed BCB president Lloyd Smith spoke of his delight at being able to include the all-rounder, having held discussions regarding a return to the national fold with Leverock.

“We’re all very happy to have him in the squad,” said Smith speaking to radio station Power 95.

“Kamau had made himself unavailable, but that was before I was president. I reached out to him to discuss his availability and, along with the selection committee, we’ve got to a situation where he is available again and that’s a big plus.”

As well as the boost of Leverock’s inclusion, head coach Cal Waldron will be able to call upon a strong squad, which will again be captained by Delray Rawlins, and boasts the experience of players such as Tre Manders, Terryn Fray, Allan Douglas Jr, Derrick Brangman and Zeko Burgess.

Also included is the recalled Chris Douglas, along with Marcus Scotland, Chare Smith and Jarryd Richardson.

While not named in the main squad, Dion Stovell has been tempted back into the national set-up, having been selected among the reserve players.

“We have a very strong squad,” Smith said.

“A number of players have made themselves available again. We spoke about the direction the board were looking to go in and some guys were interested in being back involved, which is great for Bermuda.”

Bermuda have been placed in group A of the Challenge League alongside Italy, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, with Bahrain, Tanzania, Vanuatu and host nation Malaysia making up group B.

The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six stage of the competition, with the top four finishers from that qualifying for the 12-team World Cup Challenge League.

While Bermuda will be one of the favourites to claim a top-four finish and avoid relegation to the T20I Championship, Smith is aware of the threat posed by their group opponents, as well as the dire consequences of failure to do so.

“Our aim is to stay in the league and so that means finishing in that top four,” he said. “If we don’t it would mean going out of the 50-overs competition and mean a lot less international games for Bermuda. Hopefully, we can be part of that top four and continue being a part of the Challenge League.

“We have to take all the teams involved seriously. Kuwait qualified from the lower tier, but in the ICC T20I rankings they are above Bermuda [26th and 30th], which shows they play a lot.”

In preparation for the tournament, Bermuda will be heading out to India for a ten-day training camp, which is set to include three warm-up matches.

“We’ve been able to arrange a ten-day training camp in India, which will allow us two weeks of preparation before the tournament starts,” said Cal Blankendal, the BCB executive director.

“We are anticipating having three warm-up games, including back-to-back matches against club teams from the United Arab Emirates.

“The playing conditions and surfaces in India will be similar to Malaysia, so that will be important.”

While Waldron will be taking charge of the team for the tournament, Blankendal has not ruled out the eventual return of former head coach Niraj Odedra.

However, any further discussions will not take place until after the upcoming tournament, with Odedra contracted to club side Saurashtra in his native India.

“Our past national coach is engaged with his team, Saurashtra, and coaching them until the end of February, which is his contractual obligation,’’ Blankendal told The Royal Gazette last week.

“At the time that his contractual obligation ends, we’re already in competition cycle in Malaysia. Once we complete the Malaysia cycle and we know what the future direction of the BCB is, we’ll immediately aim for the next 18 months.

“Discussions will then be held with coach Niraj on a possible continuation or re-employment by the BCB. If we are successful in Malaysia, we’re guaranteed 50-over cricket for the next three years.

“It also impacts on potential additional funding from qualifying for a major tournament similar to the World Cup, or not having that funding in place because we didn't qualify.

“Any additional income that could come out of that will not be known until the end of the first round. This tournament also brings in additional funding that can actually make it easier for us to do additional things, such as rehiring our full-time coach and having additional competitions.”

As well as the potential return of Odedra, Smith revealed former national coach Gus Logie is interested in the position.

“Gus expressed an interest, so it would be a case of seeing how much interest he might have and what those negotiations would look like,” Smith said of the Bailey’s Bay coach, who previously held the reins for four years from 2005.