By Patrick Bean Missing the last two Red Stripe Bowls has only served to make Clay Smith hungrier than ever for runs when he returns to play for Bermuda in the Caribbean tournament next week.

Suspension confined the early order batsman to the sidelines after a spectacular 1997 showing, where he drew much attention in notching two unbeaten centuries.

He is determined to light up the Caribbean once more when Bermuda travel to Antigua and said he believed Bermuda could win at least two of their group matches.

"I'm very enthusiastic about this opportunity, because I have missed the last two years,'' said Smith, who became the first player ever to score a pair of unbeaten hundreds in the competition and averaging a remarkable 104 that year.

"I've gone ahead and put a lot of emphasis on getting myself prepared for this tournament, because I know of the daunting task that lies ahead, and this is basically why I play cricket, for challenges like this.'' Smith admitted the past two years to have been difficult, having to stand as a mere spectator. But looked at this year's event to be the opportunity to make up for lost time.

"I was more hurt by the first one (that I missed) than the second, for the fact that I thought that was the best season that I've had in my whole career,'' continued Smith, whose first ton was came against Windward islands (100 not out) and second against the powerful Jamaicans (101 not out).

"I had basically given myself up mentally and physically to go back down there to try and repeat what I had done the year before. Then to have it all taken away from me was devastating.

"But you have to go with the flow and now is my chance to redeem myself and get things back to the standard that I set two years ago.'' Reminded that the past season saw him in not nearly as dominating form as '97, and the fact that while he did average more than 60 every time at bat, there was but one hundred etched next to his name, Smith was unperturbed.

For, while domestic level cricket is the `be all, end all' to most players, it is the big stage that lures the St. David's player/coach/captain.

"I still feel I have the ability to come good,'' he said, his voice rasping with the confident swagger that has been as much his trademark as the damage done by the bat he wields. "I'm the type of person that rises to the occasion. I don't want to put too much pressure on myself by saying that I will go down there and be successful, but I know the Bermuda public is expecting bright things from Clay Smith.

"Basically, the last two weeks I've been doing as much as I can to prepare myself mentally and physically to go and get the job done.'' Smith defended the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control's selection of what some have decried as one of the weakest sides to travel overseas, noting how, in his opinion, every member selected has what it takes to ensure Bermuda earn their first ever victory at the regional competition.

And having been a part of the side that came so agonisingly close to beating Windward Islands during what was their initial foray -- they lost by a mere two runs -- Smith felt history beckoned this time around.

"I honestly feel we can get our first victory. I think, with the way our group is paired off, we stand a good chance of getting two victories -- the Cayman Islands and the Windwards.'' Others in Bermuda's group include Leeward Islands and favoured Guyana, with the first match against Leewards in Antigua next Wednesday.

According to Smith the key factor for Bermuda has very little to do with physical ability...it is the mind where defeat becomes victory.

"Although we are missing a lot of key batsmen I still feel that we have ample batsmen in the team that can get the job done,'' said Smith. "When it comes to that type of cricket at that level -- although cricket is a tactical game -- it's more the mental aspects that come into play.

"I think it depends on whether or not guys have the mental aspects to deal with the likes of the Franklyn Roses, the Courtney Walshes. With those players it just becomes a mental game really.

"They do have an intimidating effect, because we sit here and actually watch these guys play world class cricket on TV, then the next minute you're out there playing against them.

"Me, personally, I believe that if I was given the opportunity I could play at that level and this to me is my chance, not to prove it to Bermuda or anybody, but more so to myself, that given the chance I could have played at that level.

"So now is my chance to prove to myself that if I had that opportunity every day, day in and day out, I could play at that level. And that's what I think gets me away and takes me to that next level.

The team is due to depart Bermuda on Monday.

Clay Smith: believes Bermuda capable of at least two Red Stripe Bowl wins.