Had this column been written just two days' ago, it would have appeared far more scathing that it is now.

Bermuda's national cricket team bowled out for an astonishing low score of 56 in a couple of hours on the first day of what had been scheduled as a four-day game – the height of humiliation!

Just one batsman got into double figures and the rest managed no more than five. Next to opener Chris Foggo (29), the best score came in the extras column (7).

All this on home ground against a capable United Arab Emirates side, but hardly a team of world-beaters.

It wasn't just a disappointing performance but one that served as an embarrassment to what is billed as Bermuda's national sport.

So what sparked this equally incredulous revival which saw the same players amass a more than respectable total of 332, thus avoiding the inevitable innings defeat?

Coach David Moore might have been as perplexed as the rest of us . . . although it probably didn't surprise former national coach Gus Logie who was among the spectators at the National Sports Centre.

He's seen these Jekyll and Hyde displays all too often in the past.

What the game again showed is that the talent is there but sometimes not the application required.

Whatever Moore said to the players between innings clearly had an impact.

Yet this reversal of fortunate still doesn't hide the fact that Bermuda were comprehensively beaten by nine wickets. The Pakistan – sorry, UAE – team were overall probably better in all aspects of the game.

Thankfully, Bermuda players get a chance to redeem themselves in the upcoming 50-overs and Twenty20 games - two of each in the next week.

They demonstrated in their second innings that their batsmen can play spin and do so effectively when they dig in their heels and play every ball on its merits.

A couple of wins over the same team before the tour ends, then the four-day disaster might be all but forgotten.

In the meantime, there remains the question why so many good players are still refusing to play for their country.

Dean Stephens informed Moore he had no interest in playing in the series.

Jekon Edness told the coach he considered national team cricket 'a job' and sometimes he wasn't able to work.

As for talented spinner and batsman Delyone Borden, he's still shown little interest in joining the squad although he has been asked.

Jason Anderson said his invitation had come too late to change work commitments (see today's Sports Mailbox, Page 18).

In some respect, the clubs could play their part in strengthening the national team by urging their best players to take their skills to another level. After all, if a player can compete at the international level, he can only use that experience to benefit his club.

You can bet that all those mentioned above will be knocking on the door when it comes to Cup Match selection.

In Bermuda, that has always been a priority. Seemingly nothing has changed.

* * * *

It's no surprise that all of the World Cup Portuguese, English, Argentinian and Brazilian flags disappeared over last week.

There were very few Spanish or Dutch.

But suddenly the fans of those two countries have come out of the woodwork.

In fact, one truck yesterday was seen with one of each on either side of his wing mirrors.

Nothing like hedging you bets!

– ADRIAN ROBSON