Bermuda cricket has so many elements that need improving that over the next few weeks. I intend to look at several of them individually, starting with the role of captains.

Captains play an important role in cricket because the game is built around their decision-making. If you had to select a captain, what credentials would that person have?

Most clubs are planning pre-season meetings to discuss their plans for the season. One main topic on the agenda will be the selection of the captain. Some clubs opt for the most experienced player, while others choose the person who is keen to do the job. Others just put it to a player vote, which often determines that the most popular team member becomes captain.

First and foremost, in my eyes the captain must be a student of the game. Yes, the game is played on the field, but you can learn so much more off the field. Much of a captain’s job is done away from the pitch, planning for the task ahead, but how many of our captains do that?

Do our captains and coaches sit down the week before a match and discuss tactics before sharing them with the rest of the players in a Thursday night team meeting?

Back in the 1990s, that was one key ingredient that made St George’s exceptional.

Wendell Smith, the captain-coach, would always have a team meeting and we would go over our opponents for the weekend, discussing their strengths and weaknesses. Come Sunday everyone knew the game plan and all knew how to execute it.

Let me share with you one or two scenarios of a game plan that the captain-coach constructed and was successful.

St George’s played Willow Cuts and Jermaine Warner was opening the batting. He loves to drive through the covers, but he often drives uppish, so we put a cover and a deep extra cover on the boundary from the first ball of the game, which is very unusual.

Our opening bowlers were instructed to bowl full allowing him to drive. He could not resist: the very first over we had him caught extra cover on the boundary and I can remember Dean Minors, the wicketkeeper, looking at me and shaking his head.

St George’s played against Western Stars in a Belco Cup final at St David’s and Albert Steede was at the non-strikers end batting with Gregory Sampson.

We told our two opening bowlers to bowl back of a length so that Sampson would not have anything to drive. Sampson’s best strokes were drives, but he was limited off the back foot. Steede became frustrated that he could not get the strike and that the scoreboard was not ticking over. Eventually, Sampson holed out to mid-off trying to get the score moving and driving at a ball that was not up for the drive.

Those were just two examples of how a game plan can work.

So when clubs are choosing a captain, what are some things they should consider? Does the person have leadership skills? Do they know the game from a tactical standpoint? Is the person a motivator and do they cope with pressure well? Do they know the rules of the game and are they a student of the game? These are just some aspects that one should look for when selecting a captain.

My challenge goes out to all those selected as captain for their respective clubs. Look the part, dress like a cricketer and set the example for your team-mates to follow. Take pride in your team’s performance and preparation. Something as simple as getting everyone to the field early to warm up plays a big part in a team’s performance on the day.

Years ago, I had a national team coach who said his aim was to try and improve each player by just 5 per cent and if he can do that imagine how much of an improvement the team would make overall.

My challenge to the Island’s captains is to try to improve not each player, but your team by just 5% from last season. Imagine if every team in Bermuda could achieve this for the coming season. It will not only improve our cricket, but it will be the start of a rebuilding process for our national sport. We all must play our part!

Captain’s tip: Know your players’ strengths and weaknesses, but also realise that a strength can be a weakness, too.