A clear indication of how local cricket administrators are dragging their feet has come with the news that the Restructuring Committee's report was only officially circulated this month -- an astounding 18 months after chairman Jim Woolridge presented the typewritten document to Bermuda Cricket Board of Control.

It was only last week that members of the full BCBC council and Government Sports Director, Brenton Roberts, received their completed copies -- while Woolridge himself has reportedly not been given an official copy himself.

Roberts confirmed that his department had received the report, but only after approaching the BCBC and requesting it.

The Royal Gazette this week obtained a copy from sources who were clearly upset about the delay as well as the fact that many of the recommendations contained in the report had not been implemented or even discussed by the council.

Affectionately known as the "Voice Of Summer'' for bringing the sport to the homes of thousands while commentating on radio, Woolridge has refused to comment on the length of time between his presentation and the report's circulation, but he admitted it would be "a shame'' if the recommendations were not implemented in the near future.

"If we don't see most of the things implemented or adhered to I think the committee's efforts were a waste of time,'' said the Works and Engineering Minister. "The committee consisted of members of the BCBC itself, including the vice president Rudolph Lawrence. We didn't go and get a bunch of people who were not associated with cricket, but rather fellows who were actively involved.

"We had the greatest support and cooperation from all of those involved and it was my terms of reference to come up with the findings. All I can say is that I submitted it to the BCBC president. He wrote me a letter acknowledging receipt of it, thanked me for my responsibility and that's the last I heard of it.'' The report was a far-reaching one, covering all aspects of cricket. Among the major issues it looked into and offered recommendations on, were: discipline, youth development and the relationship between umpires and the board.

The committee, in their conclusion, commented on the overall objective of the sport.

It read in part: "Given the increased membership and recent playing history of ICC Associates, it is obvious that our competitors are developing cricket at a far faster pace than we are. This is due principally to a professional attitude and approach which permeates all aspects of their game. "It seems self-evident that Bermuda must similarly become much more business-like if we are to seriously contest for a World Cup place in the future.

"For better or worse, cricket in Bermuda is an amateur sport. Despite the skills and competence of all who either play the game or are responsible for its management, they are not remunerated for their time, interest and effort.

Essentially, all local cricketers and administrators are part-time enthusiasts. In confirmation of this situation, Bermuda's premier world-class athlete, Brian Wellman, has said...`the problem with sports in this country is that everyone does it on a recreational level, mainly due to size and its inability to support professionalism.' "So that Bermuda can compete creditably at the highest international level -- in the ICC Trophy and the World Cup -- it is essential that our players' potential be married to a purposeful and structured programme of domestic cricket. Most importantly, a professional or business-oriented approach must be followed by the BCBC and its affiliated clubs if Bermuda's cricket is to prosper.'' The report contained little direct criticism of the BCBC but there were many recommendations that the committee felt desperately needed to be put into place if there was to be a revival.

When he was named to head the committee, Woolridge said: "We need to get this lovely sport back to its former pre-eminence so that we can get the large crowds back.'' And his view hadn't changed this week.

He said: "Unfortunately Bermuda no longer produces players like yesteryear.

There was a time when several of our players could make any English county team and this was a great tribute to Bermuda.'' However, the report did commend the BCBC for other areas of the sport where progress has been made, such as in the number of international visits by Test, county and national teams from the Caribbean.

Following are some of the report's recommendations: Bermuda should organise a National Double Wicket Tournament to be held on the public holiday in June. An entry fee should be charged per club/team and cash awards should be made to the winning competitors.

Commencing 1997, the local cricket season should open with a fixture featuring winners of the previous league Championship against winners of the BCBC Limited Overs Competition, with the match being played under the ICC 50 overs format.

The BCBC should examine the feasibility of utilising County Cup dates as opportunities either for make-up matches or for league games, but only for clubs outside the particular county area.

The BCBC should continue to arrange incoming and outgoing tours at representative level and should encourage their affiliates to become similarly involved.

The BCBC should attempt to organise tours that will offer the prospect of challenging and closely-contested competition so that our players are extended but not outclassed.

Included in any contractual agreement covering tours of Bermuda by Test teams should be a stipulation regarding school visits and/or training workshops.

The BCBC should explore the possibility of tours for an Under-15 age group (with the eventual goal being entry into the West Indies tournament and the World Cup).

The Under-19 squad should participate in BCBC League competition to better prepare these players for the IYT.

Workshops for teachers of physical education, covering all aspects of the game, should be held prior to each summer term.

A coaching course for all club cricketers involved in training and/or mentoring junior players should be offered on a regular basis.

Two junior leagues should be organised for 16 years and under and 12 years and under, and be scheduled for Friday evenings or for Saturdays.

The BCBC should encourage their affiliates to implement a Mentor Scheme whereby senior club players train/coach/influence specific youngsters.

The BCBC should build on the response to and the success of the Summer Clinics and expand these to both Smith's Parish and Somerset.

The Code of Conduct should be based on those promulgated by the ICC, the National Cricket Association and the West Indies Cricket Board of Control but be appropriate to local circumstances. This code should be a single-page document which should be released prior to the 1996 season not only to BCBC members but to other cricketing organisations and to the general public.

The BCBC should revise its disciplinary procedures with the aim of expediting the resolution of any dispute.

The committee feels that a preferred means of improving the standard of cricket for clubs and for Bermuda is not by continually altering the playing regulations but by establishing a clear avenue of progress from a junior side through a reserve team to eventually First then Premier then representative status. The deeper the playing strength of the clubs, the stronger will be the Bermuda XI.

STICKY WICKET -- Jim Woolridge (left) and his committee presented their report on the restructuring of cricket 18 months ago, but president Ed Bailey (right) and his board only released it to the clubs last week.