Dennis Wainwright, the former St George’s wicketkeeper, is urging for better preparations by his team in the lead up to next year’s Cup Match in Somerset.

Wainwright, who holds the record for most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in Cup Match (37), was speaking at yesterday’s Safe Hands Awards at the Bermuda Healthcare Services.

As usual, Wainwright was at the match both days, taking in both the players’ performances and behaviour.

“The standard of the game left much to be desired, but I thought Somerset played very well,” Wainwright said.

“They were organised and you could see that they prepared themselves for the match, as opposed to St George’s who lacked organisation and preparation, which was clear to see.”

Those feelings were expressed by Wainwright on Saturday at Wellington Oval during an informal chat on the balcony with club members, including Neil Paynter, the president.

“I had a talk with the captain and coach and I said next year we’ve got to start early and concentrate on organisation, who’s doing what, and who is in charge, and what is your duty when you go to the wicket,” he said.

The former St George’s captain said the fans were let down by their team’s performances when they scored just 113 in the first innings and 133 in the second. He called for more pride to be shown by those players selected.

“This game is bigger than the players, and a lot of us don’t realise the importance of Cup Match and what it means,” he said. “When people come from abroad and are paying to see you they expect, and should receive, your best effort.”

Wainwright admitted to being disappointed with George O’Brien, the St George’s vice-captain, who was charged with a Level 1 offence after showing dissent when umpire Kent Gibbons turned down the seam bowler’s appeal for lbw against Janeiro Tucker. The next ball Tucker was caught by Damali Bell.

“Sometimes you give a person some responsibility and it changes their behaviour, but I was a little disappointed that perhaps he [O’Brien] didn’t remember that he was vice-captain and should be setting a better example,” Wainwright said.

“I saw it in the Somerset side as well, players running to the umpires and throwing their hands in the air and stamping.”