The Bermuda Under-19 cricket team cannot be promoted to the Premier Division 50 overs, with their opponents in the First Division awarded points every time they play against Janeiro Tucker’s side.

As a result of the decision by the BCB leadership, Bermuda Under-19, who have a bye this weekend, are bottom of the seven-team standings with no points, despite recording three wins from the five matches they have played.

“The Bermuda Cricket Board takes this time to acknowledge the efforts of the BCB under-19 national training squad, as they prepare for the ICC Under-19 World Cup Qualifiers, to be held in the summer of 2025,’’ the BCB said.

“Their preparations include weekly training under the direction of head coach Janeiro Tucker and matches in the BCB First Division 50-Over League.

“To aid their development, the BCB cricket committee has approved the inclusion of two non-U19 playing members to provide their playing expertise during the weekly match fixtures.

“The overage players have offered to act as mentors to the team. Due to the under-19’s having overage players on their roster, the weekly match fixtures will be classed as a BCB under-19 developmental match.

“The First Division team that is scheduled to play against the BCB under-19s will be awarded ten points for a win, pending that they complete the match as per the official schedule.

“We take this time to acknowledge the First Division teams, who provide much needed competition and playing opportunities for all youth cricketers in Bermuda.

“We also wish to thank those overage players who volunteer their time to develop the next generation of national team players.”

Tucker has been working with the players since February, with training sessions every Wednesday at PHC.

He is pleased with the progress made by the players, as they gear up to have a shot at qualification for the ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup, to be held in Zimbabwe and Namibia.

“They have come a long way from where I got them to where they are now,’’ he said. “I think there’s a lot of work to be done with them, but they continue to develop and learn the game the correct way.

“We’re trying to get them to do basics of actually playing. They have to occupy the wicket, but they’re doing pretty good.

“At the end of the day, we can’t get promoted but for me, it’s just to to make sure that these guys better themselves as individual cricketers.”

The coach also spoke of what he is seeking to achieve by bringing in guest players to play for the under-19 side.

Alex Dore, Jan-Johan Nel, Dominic Sabir and Dion Stovell are the overage players who have played for the under-19s so far this season.

“The guest players are not there to make them win like people think they are,’’ Tucker said. “What I try to do is to bring in the players that can help out these guys within the actual match.

“When I bring in guest players, I don’t look for the guest players to pick up the wickets of score hundreds.

“The objective is to make sure that these guys are doing the right things. We’re looking at running between the wickets, getting behind the ball when fielding, try to help them bowl line and length, and help them with field settings.

“We don’t do it every week, we only do it when we are short of players. Once I found out that we are short, I reach out to try and get guys that are available to help out.”