Bermuda cricketer facing heroin charges withdraws from US tournament

A leading cricketer facing heroin charges has withdrawn from the Bermuda squad announced earlier this month for a four-country Twenty20 tournament in the United States.

The Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) announced on Tuesday that Fiqre Crockwell has pulled out of the ICC Americas Division One Twenty20 qualifiers in Indianapolis set for May 2-11 after questions were raised about his inclusion in the squad, reports CMC.

No reason for 29-year-old Crockwell's withdrawal was given.

Crockwell, who took part in a warm-up tour of Jamaica two weeks ago, is to stand trial on May 27 to face charges of possession of heroin with intent to supply.

He has denied the charges.

Bermuda have also lost pace bowler Malachi Jones because of injury for the US trip.

Crockwell and Jones have been replaced by Jason Anderson and Jacobi Robinson at the tournament, which features the US, Canada, Suriname and Bermuda.

BCB president Lloyd Fray said: "It is disappointing Fiqre and Malachi are unable to represent Bermuda at this tournament but we are fortunate that we are able to replace them with two highly experienced international cricketers."