The wife of Bermuda batsman Clay Smith has attacked legendary West Indian fast bowler Michael Holding for criticising the number of cricketing minnows in the World Cup.

Holding last month stated that the number of non-Test playing countries in the competition — such as Bermuda, Canada or Ireland — should be cut to just one.

He made the remarks while on the Island as a guest speaker at Bermuda Cricket Board's World Cup banquet, shortly before catching a plane to the Caribbean with the Island's squad.

Reacting to the remarks, Nicole Smith said: "I read them and I didn't appreciate it. For a guest speaker to make those comments, when the very next day he's going to be on the same flight as our cricketers, I don't think that's appropriate.

"It may be your feeling but I don't think you should come out with it like that. It's not professional.

"For the players, I can imagine them having their newspapers in front of them and reading it and he's sitting four seats in front. It's an inappropriate time to make such a comment."

Holding had stated: "What is gained by a team playing in the World Cup and getting absolutely hammered? In my opinion, it is counter-productive."

However, Mrs. Smith responded: "You could say the same thing about Trinidad in the World Cup in soccer. They deserved to be there just the same. They got hammered too."