Lack of cricket in schools is hindering development

Cricket starts this weekend with the Belco Cup competition, but forget the Belco Cup, who wins that is irrelevant to the future of Bermuda cricket.
I don’t know if it is me and my passion that is driving me on this, but I won’t stop until people wake up and realise that they can’t just talk the talk, they have to walk the walk.

Single league just not the way to move forward

Bermuda Cricket Board apparently reached out to clubs once again regarding the ‘One League’ structure of our domestic season, but it is not yet known whether they will go ahead with the change or revert back to having two divisions incorporating promotion and relegation.

Bermuda’s tactics have been perplexing

If you read my column last week you would recall me saying that Bermuda national cricket team’s tactics will be one of the main factors in them being successful or unsuccessful in this tournament.

Names don’t win games, teams do

The opening of the World Cricket League Division 3 Tournament is two days away, and the order of play for Bermuda is Uganda, Oman, Nepal, Italy, and USA.
As I have expressed in previous articles the magnitude of this tournament for Bermuda is enormous.

Cricket will be dull under one league

The Bermuda Cricket Board has announced that there will be one league this season. Except for watching the National team compete for promotion to World Cricket League Division 2, domestic cricket will be like watching paint dry to put it plain and simple. What would possess the BCB to make such a decision?

Hard work will be key to Bermuda’s success

There are 17 days to go before we begin our quest to win the Division 3 World Cricket League Tournament held here in Bermuda.
As the team has not yet been announced I want to take a look at the players we have to choose from and what I think our final selection could be and, in addition, highlight our strengths and weaknesses and what it’s going to take for us to be successful in this tournament.

Teams in Div 3 Tournament are evenly balanced

Today I want to take a closer look at the teams that the Bermuda national cricket team will face come April 28th in the ICC Division 3 tournament. USA, Nepal, Italy, Uganda and Oman are the opposition who will be challenging Bermuda for that all important top two finish. With the schedule being released this week the interest now mounts. There are no easy games in this group as all teams are pretty much evenly balanced.

The challenge of all challenges

The Bermuda national cricket team has completed part one of their mission, but what lies ahead will be the ultimate challenge. April 28th — May 5th Bermuda will host Italy, Oman, USA, Nepal and Uganda in a round robin tournament with so much at stake. This tournament is the challenge of all challenges.

T/20 Tournament a good buildup for Bermuda

With the national team halfway through the T/20 tournament, confidence should be high based on the good results we have had so far, but soon the focus will be switch to that of the ICC Division 3 Tournament coming up April 28th-May 5th.

Bold changes needed to save cricket

Although the main focus of Bermuda cricket has been the upcoming tournaments, fans are waiting in anticipation for the transfer deadline and the beginning of a new season.

T20 can be detrimental to developing youngsters

Cricket in the T20 format has quickly become a spectator favourite.
However, I am in the mindset of the fast growing game to not expose young cricketers to this format. The game requires uncharacteristic behaviours that are not suitable for the longer game, which if exposing a young player too early to this format can be detrimental to his development.

Plenty at stake for Bermuda in Div 3 Tournament

The ICC Division 3 Tournament is closing in on us and the magnitude of the tournament on our local shores has a major buzz in the air.

Mixed bag of results in Barbados

Successful or unsuccessful, is the question one has to ask about the recent national cricket tour to Barbados.
Was the timing of this tour right? Did much planning or thought go into this tour? Did it achieve what it was intended to achieve? These are the burning questions surrounding this tour as it ended with a mixture of results and some favourable and unfavourable performances.

Big test ahead in Barbados for young side

It was quite a nice surprise to see the team selected to represent Bermuda for the Barbados Cricket Tour, which left yesterday full of hungry, energetic, enthusiastic cricketers.

Women’s cricket deserves to be taken seriously

The women’s World Cup cricket is currently being played in India with a number of countries vying to be world champions. I took time out this week to actually sit and watch some of the matches and was quite surprised at the quality of cricket being display.
I was encouraged to believe that our own women cricketers could definitely reach this level one day.

Odemwingie’s behaviour was very unprofessional

There were a lot of deals made during the transfer window which closed on Thursday night, but the one that some people are talking about is the one that didn’t go through at all and the behaviour of the player, Peter Odemwingie of West Bromwich Albion.

Actions not words are needed to improve cricket

February is here and we are merely months away from the start of our 2013 cricket season, which promises to be an exciting one.
However, many of us cricket purist are curious to see what new ideas are put forward to improve the standard of cricket overall.
There is no secret Bermuda cricket is crying out for a facelift or change of plan/ideas to revamp or ignite our dying national sport.

Cricket desperate for another aspiring star

Mental preparation a key to sporting success

Clay Smith
As we are now into a new year the big question to all of Bermuda athletes, cricketers, footballers, golfers, swimmers etc is what are you going to do different this year to make yourself that much better?
The obvious is to prepare yourself mentally and physically for your specific craft, and push yourself towards a fitness goal, letting nothing stand in the way of achieving it.

My high-five for 2012

Happy New Year and may 2013 be an even better one for all of you.
As the New Year approaches I want to reflect on my top five sporting feats of 2012. While this was very difficult as there were several outstanding performances worldwide, my top five is as follows:
Coming in at fifth place is Andy Murray’s tennis heroics as he finally broke his Grand Slam duck by winning the US Open final against Novak Djokovic.

Bowling coach Tucker explains his role

Let me start by saying Merry Christmas to one and all, may you enjoy your holidays and please keep safe.
Many of my recent articles have been highlighting the negatives within the walls of Bermuda cricket, inclusive of the Board, players, executives, clubs, and umpires. As is customary by us as Bermudians we are quick to criticise but slow to praise, a trait that we shouldn’t be proud of.

College showcase a fantastic opportunity for local schoolkids

I was pleasantly surprised to hear about the Bermuda Football Association and the Bermuda School Sports Federation joining forces to take an elite group of footballers abroad to Florida. The college showcase will give all the boys a fantastic opportunity to display their talent to various college coaches. What pleases me the most about this is the standards that have been met by all the boys in order to be eligible to make the final squad.

Wright departure a travesty

Another sad day for Bermuda Cricket Board as Derek Wright is no longer affiliated with them. Sad to admit but it's been a long time coming.
Having worked with Derek on the Outreach/Selection Committee, with him appointed as the chairman at that time, it was blatantly obvious that he was becoming more and more frustrated due to the lack of support within the Board walls.

Cup success rests with five key players

As 2013 closes in, so does the America’s Cup and it is vital that Stephen Outerbridge and Arnold Manders are able to motivate the team picked to represent us.
While every player has to play their role the following five are key to Bermuda’s success. Delyone Borden, Justin Pitcher, Dion Stovell, Malachi Jones and Chris Douglas all need to show up with their ‘A’ game.

Bermuda needs another Clarence Parfitt

Spending time away from the commitment of coaching cricket has been a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of it all, but the time has given me a fresh perspective as to where my ambitions will take me in the future.
One local hero who has inspired me over the years is Clarence Parfitt. Not just for his bowling greatness but for what he has accomplished after his playing career.

Time to change our way of thinking

Albert Einstein said, “No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.”
Last week’s article sparked a healthy debate as to why or why not the national cricketers should be compensated for being chosen to represent their country in the upcoming tour and beyond.

Financial incentives would help motivate cricketers

Here we go again, another familiar debate regarding our national cricketers.
Moving on from the questions unanswered regarding the head coach, yet again we are deliberating over whether the cricketers should be allowed to play football while training with the national cricket squad.

Coach Moore’s departure comes at the wrong time

The Bermuda Cricket Board’s big announcement that head coach David Moore will not renew his contract when it runs out on March 1, 2013 has prompted a few questions.
Months ago it was common knowledge that the World Cricket League Division Three qualifiers are scheduled to be held in May, 2013, so my question is, did we try to at least extend his contract until the deadline of this tournament?

Bermuda has talent to qualify for World Cup

Sitting at Wembley stadium watching England v San Marino in a World Cup qualifier, had me daydreaming, wondering if Bermuda will ever accomplish what seems mission impossible and actually qualify for the football World Cup? As my mind continued to wander, I visualised and could foresee Bermuda playing on that stage in the near future.

Windies the kings of Hollywood cricket

This past week saw the West Indies win the Twenty20 World Cup, defeating hosts Sri Lanka in a very low scoring final. Many around the world were taken by surprise, considering it a big upset.
I have to admit the West Indies took me by surprise too, but I never doubted they would be competitive due to the aggressiveness that they display when it is not warranted, in the longer version of the game.

No excuses for poor training turn-out

This week when reading about David Hemp deciding to step down as captain but opting to play on, it showed me he still has the passion to play for Bermuda, which is good news.

Issues hindering cricket need to be resolved now

Get it right or there will be no way back for our cricket for years to come.
While I am sure Bermuda Cricket Board and the head coach are planning, if not have already planned the next six months in preparation for April, 2013. Everybody players, coaches and executive must be on the same page. A series of discussions must take place to rectify the rifts or issues that are threatening to tear Bermuda cricket apart.

Outerbridge the right man for the job

The Bermuda Cricket Board have announced a training squad of 43 players for preparation of the Division Three qualifiers to be held in Bermuda in April next year.
President Lloyd Fray’s comment when he was elected that there was a serious disconnect between the players and the Board has never been so true.

Dore and Rawlins were top two young players

The Bermuda Cricket season is now over and there were some highs and some lows. In fact it wasn’t all that most of us had envisioned, but there are a few positives in the season that was simply just a cricket season, nothing more, nothing less.

Bascome and Todd deserve their chance

After reading a recent article in The Royal Gazette about Andrew Bascome and Richard Todd, all I could do was smile with delight for them, the lesson of perseverance has been taught in their story.
Two gentlemen with a distinctive passion for football have after a long journey of coaching at differing levels, reached that ultimate destiny, of coaching the Bermuda national football team.

Get set for a weekend of drama

This weekend is a massive weekend at both ends of the Logic Premier 50 over cricket league. At the top half, undefeated Bailey’s Bay play Willow Cuts in what will be a title decider. While at the lower end of the table Cleveland County play Southampton Rangers in a battle for survival. As cricket winds down the cricket purist have a weekend of drama and excitement facing them.

Games should inspire our young athletes

These last two weeks has been a joy watching the world’s elite athletes battle it out in their various events as the Olympics took over England.
These Olympic Games just emphasised how exceptional one must be to dominate the world in their respective sport. Hence, the reasons why I sit in awe at the accomplishment by Clarence Hill our boxing legend.

St. George's Cup Match capitulation a disgrace

Cup Match is over, a new champion has been crowned, and I am still in a stunned state to say the least, and that's putting it nicely.

Getting Cann and Blakeney out cheaply is key to Somerset success

This past weekend Somerset and St George’s selected their teams and they both possess exciting, match-winning players.
This year the anticipation of another thrilling game has fans eagerly awaiting the Cup Match Classic. After such an exciting game last year fans are hungry for another blockbuster and can’t wait for tomorrow and Friday. Today, I take a closer look at both teams and their keys to victory.

St. George’s may carry an extra bat

As the final selection for Cup Match places will be sorted tomorrow evening, St. George’s will have their hands full in selecting their team. As champions St. George’s has no shortage of players willing and able to fill the void left by Oronde, OJ and Damali.

Cup Match: Without Tucker, Somerset have no chance

Cup Match, the best of the best . . . In order for this to be true, my hope is that Janeiro Tucker and Dion Stovell both make themselves available for selection for the Somerset Cup Match team.

Sickened by St.George's' treatment of coach Todd

It is Cup Match month and the focus in St. George's should be the classic, but the turmoil surrounding their football programme has created a distraction.
A club that should be a pinnacle for other clubs to emulate is far behind the eight ball in both sports.

All eyes on the Island’s Under-18s

This week our Under-18 squad will be travelling to play in the America’s Under-18 Match Play Tournament in Fort Lauderdale. Bermuda youngsters will play USA and Canada’s youth teams in a double round-robin tournament, which means playing each team twice.

Outerbridge is the right man to lead Bermuda

This past weekend I had the privilege to watch Bermuda’s most prolific batsman in action (Mr Bailey’s Bay) Stephen Outerbridge.
His game winning knock of 133 not out was classy, timely, skillful, and poised, something out of the Noel Gibbons repertoire.
Having had the opportunity to play against Bay twice and watch them on more than one occasion Stephen has definitely elevated his game to another level.

Plenty of Cup Match spots up for grabs

The cricket season has almost reached the halfway point and I figured we should take a brief look to see what players are making a push for a spot in Cup Match.
Currently, there are only a handful of players that have performed at a high standard, but there are plenty of spots up for grabs as both teams have imminent changes through suspensions and unavailability.

Lack of love is killing local cricket

As much as I try to encourage positive thoughts about our national sport, it is impossible to advocate for more support when only three out of seven games were played last weekend.
Player unavailability and a shortage of umpires is a condition that is plaguing our game. Teams are also refusing to play without umpires to prevent incidents such as what transpired at the Flatts and Western Stars game.

Cricket suffering from lack of fans

Over the past month of playing cricket locally it is quite apparent that the fan base has dwindled to an alarming low level.
Is this solely because of the standard of cricket, the atmosphere, or lack thereof?

How to be a better batsman

This week’s article is a follow-up to last week on what it takes to be a successful batsman. As I discuss shot selection, batting with a plan, mental toughness, building partnerships and valuing your wicket, my hope is to assist players to build a solid foundation for success.

Cup exposed batsmen’s weaknesses

As predicted there was plenty of excitement last weekend in the Belco Cup. A few strengths, but more evident were the weaknesses highlighted.
When it comes to batting it seems as though a game plan is lacking individually. What is demonstrated more and more is that batsmen are walking to the wicket with no goal, no game plan, no thought process, but yet they expect to do well.