Two years ago Jim West was making only occasional appearances in the Evening Cricket League and fishing from dawn until dusk to make a living.

But in 2006, the unassuming Bailey's Bay seamer finds himself in the middle of Bermuda's cricketing revolution, as part of the 15-man national squad flying out in less than a week's time for five games against the United Arab Emirates in Dubai.

The 23-year old was one of four young cricketers selected by the BCB to attend the ICC Winter Training Camp in Pretoria and was voted the camp's most improved player by English coach and former county player Andy Moles.

"I basically gave up cricket when I got back from school aged 20," West said.

"I still played some casual games in the Evening League but other than that I was out fishing for a living and doing pretty much nothing else. Last season was my first season back playing properly and I was surprised but very happy when the Board asked me to go to South Africa."

While in Pretoria, West had the opportunity to work with one of the world's most respected bowling coaches in Englishman Bob Cottam, whose help and advice in remodelling his action has worked wonders for his control and variation.

By keeping his head more upright at the point of delivery, having a higher bowling arm and following through straighter, West has also begun to swing the ball away from right handers for the first time in his life.

"I worked so hard when I was down there," he said.

"The whole thing was fantastic and I learnt so many new and exciting things and met a lot of new people.

"The first two months we concentrated on bringing our fitness levels up but in the last month we played a lot more games and I could really see the improvements.

"And it's been pretty much non-stop since I got back, either training with the national squad or Bailey's Bay. I'm really enjoying the whole experience."

West owes his inclusion in the Dubai touring party to the national selectors' earnest desire to develop their fast bowling resources ahead of the World Cup next year.

And while West arguably lacks the pace to open the bowling at an international level, national coach Gus Logie has made it clear that he wants to consider as many options as possible during the squad's time in the Middle East.

The youngster insisted, however, that given time his batting will flourish as well.

"I've done a lot of work on my batting and I think I've got it in me to be a genuine allrounder," he said.

"It may not happen very soon, but I'm working towards it and I hope to be able to challenge for an allrounder's spot in the national team."