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Questions still unanswered from Malaysia

I was intrigued to read that the Cricket Association of Nepal’s board was disbanded by its government on grounds of incompetence.

This may be a big surprise to many as they just won the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division Three in Malaysia. One can only wonder why our cricket board is still intact after seeing Bermuda slump to an all-time low, sitting embarrassingly in Division Four.

What really went wrong in Malaysia? Who is responsible for the team’s poor preparations? Will there be an investigation? Where do we go from here?

Bermuda is such a small place and some of the information pertaining to Malaysia that has been circling is alarming. It is not my place to divulge the information, but I surely hope someone is bold enough to. The people of Bermuda have the right to know what happened, as to why we are in this position.

With the Bermuda Cricket Board’s AGM on November 26, it will be very interesting to see what transpires, as the future of Bermuda’s cricket is once again put in the hands of the clubs, which is scary. Positions up for grab at the AGM are president, treasurer and club representatives.

I couldn’t help but notice that the Bermuda Cricket Board has put forward some requirements that are needed for all positions available. The way some of them are worded gives you a clear indication that they were written to be tailor-made for certain people.

Since when did a candidate for president have to have experience operating at the board level of a company, or experience in management of a company? These stipulations are obviously put in place to negate someone such as myself who may be interested in running for president.

Have these recommendations been approved by the clubs? I don’t think so because when a higher-up within the Board was asked about them, he wasn’t aware that they were even put in place, which tells you of the disconnection within the Board itself. Shocking! So when clubs do nominate a candidate, who will make the decision if that person meets the requirements for the job?

Anyway, last time around there was a lot of hype about the president’s position, but this time for some reason it has been relatively quiet. Could we see someone contest Mr Fray for the president’s position or will he go unchallenged?

The following are some people that I think could pose a serious threat to the existing president if nominated: Allan Douglas, Steven Douglas, Wendell Smith and Ed Bailey.

Allan Douglas, I feel, has the heart to do it and out of all the candidates probably has the most desire for it, but because he is already attached to the Board and some may feel a total change is in order.

However, he is one who would definitely orchestrate change, which many feel is definitely needed.

Steven Douglas is a keen cricket lover with an abundance of knowledge and ideas. He is someone who is very passionate about the sport and is always seeking ways to improve the game. Definitely someone who can pose a threat, but only one Douglas can run at a time, which one will it be, if any at all?

Wendell Smith has been a cricket genius for years. His ability to transform clubs into powerhouses does not just happen. He is in cricket terms a “scientist” and it is his work ethic that the Board could really use, but I doubt he has the drive or passion to take on this massive challenge.

Ed Bailey ran for the presidency last time, but came up short. Mr Bailey is a past president who came very close to getting Bermuda to the World Cup back in 1994. Playing for the national team during his reign, I can tell you that we were always prepared and always had good preparation, especially before major tours. I’m not sure if he is interested this time around, but his name will always surface because of his track record.

Bermuda, the reality is that in the past three to four years we have dropped from Division Two to Division Four and now sit in our lowest position ever, which is simply not good enough by Bermuda standards.

Regardless of who runs or who wins the presidency, it is time we start thinking outside the box. It’s not good enough to win ICC awards while our team suffers.

The team must come first and foremost. We need to start focusing on the product, something I have said for years and years — the product being the players. We have to find ways to develop our players, tactically, technically, physically and, most of all, mentally, or we will continue to get exposed.

Quote of the week: The ultimate measure of man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. — Dr Martin Luther King Jr