High level discussions between a "deeply concerned" Premier Ewart Brown and outspoken cricketer Saleem Mukuddem did not go ahead at an originally planned meeting yesterday.

The former national team all-rounder was to meet with the Island's leader to discuss the current state of local cricket that remains in gradual decay despite Government's hefty $11 million investment in the sport, as well as additional considerable funding from Texas billionaire Sir Allen Stanford, the corporate sector and the International Cricket Council (ICC) following Bermuda's 2007 World Cup qualification.

It remained unclear at press time last night whether another meeting between the two parties would be arranged.

Mukuddem made it clear yesterday he was still willing to meet with the Premier.

"No meeting with Saleem Mukuddem is currently planned," Premier Brown's press secretary Glenn Jones told The Royal Gazette. "No meeting with Saleem Mukuddem has happened."

Last week in a scathing attack on Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB), former Board technical committee member Mukuddem accused his former colleagues of "failing badly in their role as custodians of local cricket, insisting that "unless a new system, structure and mindset are adopted, Bermuda will continue to fall over the same hurdles every time".

When reached yesterday, Mukuddem said: "I do not know when the meeting is going to take place. But I have advised them that I am willing to share my thoughts and views when they are ready to listen."

Earlier this month BCB president Reggie Pearman was hastily summoned before Premier Brown following Bermuda's pathetic showing at the Stanford 20/20 Tournament where they succumbed to the lowest total in the competition's brief history - a dubious distinction they have now held twice.

Brown, in a written statement, said Cabinet remained "highly interested" in the development of the country's cricket programme.

"The Government believes the development of sports is a nationally important endeavour - especially for young people - and we want to ensure that the BCB is as focused on that goal as we are. We take the investment of taxpayer's dollars very seriously."

Sports Minister and former BCB president El James has accused Mukuddem of "having an axe to grind" after seemingly falling out with his former Board colleagues - but has so far declined to elaborate on the matter.

Mukuddem has flatly rejected the Minister's claims.