Withdrawing the senior national team from international competition would be detrimental to Bermuda cricket.

That is the opinion of veteran cricketer Lionel Cann, in response to criticism from Gerald Bean, the former Bermuda Under-19 manager, who believes Bermuda should withdraw from international cricket and focus on the redevelopment of the local game instead.

“Obviously, Bermuda has fallen back and more needs to be done,” Cann said. “But to say get rid of a senior national programme to me is a terrible statement coming from someone who has been sitting as a coach, manager and administrator. It sends out the wrong message.

“The senior national programme is what youngsters strive for to get to the top so to scrap it would take away a huge incentive. What happens to the good players that we have in the senior national squad now like Tre Manders, Kamau Leverock and Terryn Fray if the programme was scrapped? How are they going to develop and move to the next level?

“Scrapping the senior national programme is a crazy statement to make coming from someone who has been involved in the game and probably coached half of the young players we have.”

In a letter sent to The Royal Gazette, Bean said: “The BCB [Bermuda Cricket Board] needs to withdraw the senior national team from international competition and allocate the time and money on the youth [under-nine to under-21] to rebuild and redevelop Bermuda cricket.

“If we want Bermuda’s cricket to get back to good standards, we have to start over and focus on the youth. It’s time for change.”

As well as limited funding, Cann believes those players who have a lot to offer but choose not to play for their country present a big challenge to the senior national programme.

“It is very sad that you have players who do not want to maximise the talent that God gave them to travel the world and represent your country,” he said.

“It is very disappointing to see players, particularly youngsters, not taking full advantage of the opportunities. I’m certain you can pick 20 players that should be playing for this country right now and none of them do.”

In his letter, Bean also took issue with the BCB over the state of senior domestic cricket.

“The board must get serious and change focus,” he said. “What you are doing at the senior level is not working.

“They [players] are disgruntled and demoralised. Take charge of Bermuda cricket. Start over.”

Bean’s comments arrived in the wake of Bermuda’s failed bid to qualify for next year’s World Twenty20 in the United Arab Emirates last month.

Bermuda placed fourteenth among 16 countries at the tournament, with a record of two wins and six losses.

Before the start of the tournament, Saleem Mukuddem, the former Bermuda all-rounder, spoke about some of the issues that he believes are plaguing the Island at the international level.

He said Bermuda’s cricketers lack passion, motivation and patriotism, have an expectation of entitlement and are afraid of hard work.

Responding to his former Bermuda team-mate’s criticism, Cann said: “Saleem has always been an honest guy and a lot of his comments are valid. There are some social issues going on in our country that are affecting our sport.”