Bermuda boosted by late call-ups, Uganda weakened by absentees

Bermuda have been boosted by the inclusion of three players after absentees had left them weakened ahead of the ICC Intercontinental Shield which starts on August 17. Dennico Hollis, batsman Chris Foggo and David Lavell have been called up to the squad but their opponents Uganda will field a severely depleted team.

"I am proud that these young men have stepped up and joined the Bermuda squad at a time when their country needed them," Reggie Pearman, the Bermuda Cricket Board president, said. "I thank the players for their commitment and also their employers for displaying a high level of understanding and cooperation by allowing them leave from work at such short notice."

But Bermuda will be without the services of Justin Pitcher and batsman Chris Douglas. Pitcher has pulled out due to club commitments, while Douglas has been withdrawn from the squad for failing to attend mandatory training sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

"I am disappointed that these two players have removed themselves from the squad at this late stage," Pearman had said. "We are fortunate to have this opportunity to host international cricket in Bermuda in all formats of the game against another leading Associate nation. I am pleased to note the majority of the young squad are working hard at being the best they can when they step out to represent our country with pride next week."

Uganda are also below strength for a tour which also includes two ODIs and a Twenty20 game, with as many as seven first-choice players absent.

Joel Olwenyi and Kenneth Kamyuka have opted to remain with their club sides in Canada as a result of a fairly petty dispute with the Ugandan board over expenses. Three more - Nehal Bibodi, Junior Kwebiha and Nand Kishore - are reported to have been unable to get time off work, while another two - Arthur Kyobe and Danniel Ruyange - have been denied transit visas by the UK authorities.

The news of players' unavailability is a blow to the ICC which had hoped to establish the tournament as a credible second-tier event under the main competition