Two-day cricket will have a second bat in Bermuda.

Last Thursday night Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) affiliates voted affirmatively on the recommendation to reintroduce a longer version of the game in the 2004 season.

This format makes a reappearance ‘at the crease' for the first time in more than 20 years. It was stopped after being tried for two or three seasons in the early 1980s.

“We're going to play two-day cricket this year as well as the regular limited-overs matches. The clubs voted to accept the recommendation and we go from here,” confirmed BCB president Reggie Pearman yesterday, discussing the meeting which took place at Hamilton Parish Workman's Club.

While the format is yet to be finalised, what has already been determined is that both the Premier and First Divisions - which consist of eight teams each - will be split into two groups of four for the two-day matches and teams will compete within their group.

“So they will play three games and we will work it that way,” explained Pearman, adding that as officials sort out the finer details of the two-day system, cricket will start with the limited-overs fixtures so as not to waste time.

Among the undecided issues is whether there will be two sets of standings - one for limited-overs games and another for two-day matches - or whether results will be combined.

“Initially, the technical committee were recommending one table but in the meeting, teams had a tendency to lean towards another way. So they are going back to look at it again. They took a lot of recommendations that came out of the meeting,” said the president.

Pearman has high hopes for the return of two-day cricket, saying it should be “positive” though there are likely to be some hiccups.

“Most of the other countries are doing it and we're finding out the necessity for the longer version of the game.

“It's not entirely new because we played it some time ago and the (national) coach and everyone else feel the limited-overs format is not helping our cricket.

“The guys need to play the longer version and, if you can do that, then you can play the shorter version.”

He also conceded the impact of international events on this decision.

“The ICC (International Cricket Council) is saying they want (us to play) the longer version and we have to play three-day matches this year which we haven't done before so this is all part and parcel of it,” noted the BCB chief, alluding to the Island's participation in the inaugural Inter-Continental Cup for ICC associate members.

Pearman said he doubted Bermuda would get any practice three-day games prior to the Inter-Continental Cup and therefore they would have to use “the two-day matches to help us out”.

National coach Mark Harper applauded the comeback of two-day cricket, stating “in all cricketing countries you have one-day cricket and the longer version of the game and it works”.

“I don't see a problem with it. I see the two competitions working well together,” he said, cautioning that teams should use the two-game for maximum developmental effect.

Meanwhile, Pearman said the 2004 season should begin possibly in two weeks' time” despite the perennial headache of ensuring enough grounds are match-ready.

“We're trying to get the fields organised. There are actually quite a few fields that aren't going to be ready immediately.

“About four or five fields could be ready in two weeks.”

Given the dual purpose which most fields serve, he repeated the oft-heard explanation as Bermuda's leading sporting seasons change over.

“Most of our fields have soccer (played) on them and, in terms of the transition from the soccer to cricket, it's not as easy as (going) from cricket to soccer.

“We need at least six weeks lead-in time and the weather hasn't been co-operating that much because it's been a really cold winter but we're starting to get some warm weather now so the grass will grow,” he explained.