Disgruntled national cricket team seam bowler Ryan Steede was never considered to be a part of Bermuda’s 15-man World Cup squad because of medical reports which indicated he was unfit to compete at that level, coach Gus Logie disclosed yesterday.

Responding to Steede’s claims he never received a “fair” opportunity to prove himself fit for team selection, the former West Indies vice-captain and coach stood by the Board’s decision to overlook the gangly cricketer.

And while Logie admitted yesterday the final decision was a difficult one to make, he insisted it was made in the best interests of the team and Bermuda’s World Cup cause.

He said: “We have medical reports that suggest that he is not one hundred percent fit — and we go by the medical reports. So we are well aware of his injury and we are just not going to take the risks — it’s as simple as that.”

Steede alleged on Monday he had never been assessed or tested to determine whether or not he was fit enough to be selected for the World Cup.

Incidentally, despite undergoing recent surgery for a shoulder operation, Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds was still named in the two-time defending champions final World Cup squad yesterday. Steede has instead been pencilled in as one of five players on World Cup standby. The Bailey’s Bay cricketer was seen assisting coach Logie during yesterday’s indoor net session at held at the BHS school gym.

“I don’t anything about any assessment . . . maybe he’s talking about a fitness test running about which doesn’t give you any indication that someone can bowl ten, 15 or twenty overs,” Logie continued.

“But at the end of the day we as selectors have to do what is in the best interest of the team, and ultimately the best interests of the individual. It might not seem to be that way now, but hopefully in the future this will work itself out.

“Anybody left out of the team would’ve been disappointed, and I think other players might possibly feel the urge to go to the press and say what they want.

“But I don’t think you can legislate for players in that respect, and it’s always going to be a difficult situation because there’s a lot at stake.

“But this is a democratic society. And at the end of the day if Ryan feels strongly about it then he is free to vent his feelings in any way he sees fit.”