Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) yesterday took a mighty swipe at for a recent article reporting player discontent over the appointment of El James as team manager for this summer?s ICC Trophy campaign in Ireland.

A disappointed Board president Reggie Pearman yesterday went on the offensive, claiming the article was ?damaging to the whole country?.

In a written Press statement, Pearman claimed ?no correspondence or verbal communication had been received by the BCB from any player in the national squad to the appointment of James as manager; interim coach Wendell Smith was never considered for the post of manager or that no attempt was made by to verify any facts in the report or to ascertain the Board?s views on the matter?.attempted to contact the BCB last Friday after a number of reliable sources all confirmed that discontentment had been brewing among the ranks, although no officials were available for comment.

?I am disappointed with the article that appeared in ,? Pearman lamented. ?The article is damaging to the whole country in its efforts to properly prepare our team for the World Cup qualifier in Ireland this year.

?The BCB have selected James for the position and fully support him and his ability to do the job in a highly professional manner.

?This type of article only serves to undermine the authority of management and unsettle the members of the squad at a time when things are going very well. I hope this puts this issue to an end.?

But on a more positive note, Pearman applauded national team players for the dedicated stance to the national cause.

?I can confirm the players have been working hard in the gym, have the support of fitness trainers, a physiotherapists and a nutritionists,? he said. ?In addition the squad is being guided by some of the most talented people in Bermuda.?

Government, said Pearman, have also been very supportive to the squad which is continues to adhere to a clearly ?defined well-thought out? tactical plan to fully prepare the national team for the ICC Trophy.

When contacted last Friday, a disturbed James stated: ?I don?t have any time for ignorance. I?m not there to make any friends . . . and that?s what is plaguing the sport today - all this negativity.

?I?ve got a job to do and I intend to deal with things as they come up. But I never expected this type of foolishness.?

When contacted, current coach Smith was unwilling to comment, instead asking this newspaper to contact the Board instead.

Meanwhile, the BCB revealed last week that former West Indies vice-captain and coach Gus Logie could be appointed as national coach in the near future and accompany the team to Ireland in July.

Chief executive Neil Speight said Logie could be confirmed as the Island?s new national cricket coach by the end of the week.

Bermuda are among 12 Associate International Cricket Council (ICC) nations vying for five berths for the 2007 Cricket World Cup at the ICC Trophy tournament in Ireland in July.