Bermuda received a timely boost on the eve of the ICC T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier after Malachi Jones was drafted into the squad as a late addition.

The all-rounder was initially left out of Herbie Bascome’s squad because of a shoulder injury that restricted his bowling while playing for Somerset in Cup Match.

However, Bermuda manager Irving Romaine has confirmed that Jones has since been deemed fit after passing a fitness test and has come in as a replacement for Dion Stovell, his Southampton Rangers team-mate.

Stovell had been appointed as captain for the tournament but has been declared unfit because of a concussion he suffered after being struck on the head in Cup Match.

“Malachi has passed his fitness test,” Romaine said. “Dion Stovell obviously cannot play so Malachi will be coming in for Dion.”

The late addition of Jones, the sole survivor from Bermuda’s team that competed at the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies, has bolstered the hosts new-ball attack and middle order in their batting.

Romaine also confirmed that Bailey’s Bay opening batsman Terryn Fray has replaced Stovell as captain having originally been selected as vice-captain.

The double round-robin regional qualifier begins tomorrow with Bermuda facing the United States at 11am at White Hill Field, followed by Canada versus Cayman Islands at 3pm.

The competition will run until August 25 with the top two countries advancing to the final qualifier in Dubai in October and November.

Romaine believes that Bermuda’s squad, which also boasts English county player Delray Rawlins, who arrives from Sussex this evening, as well as Kamau Leverock, will be equal to the task at hand.

“We have a good squad who are well prepared for the tournament and as we know anything can happen in T20,” Romaine said. “Two overs in T20 changes the whole game and we have explosive batsmen in this team with Allan Douglas Jr, Delray coming back, Macai [Simmons]and Onias [Bascome]. These guys can hit the ball long.”