Prominent cricketer Allan Douglas has criticised local players for their lack of involvement in a recent proposal to reorganise the sport.

The three-time Bermuda ICC Trophy player and former St. George's Cup Match wicketkeeper was responding to complaints that a move during the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control's special general meeting last week to have local cricket revert to a Super Eight and First Division league next season had been defeated.

While it was understood that most of the clubs finishing in the lower half of the division last season voted against the proposal, Douglas said he doubted whether this was the case. His club, Cleveland County which finished in the top half, was among those which voted against, he said.

Like most of the clubs who gave the proposal the thumbs down, Cleveland felt it was a move that would only result in the formation of an elitist group.

But more importantly, said Douglas, it was seen as a step back in the overall development of players in Bermuda, particularly the youth.

Douglas also disagreed with the views expressed by Board president Ed Bailey, who said that he thought the recommended changes to the structure of cricket were "thoroughly discussed among the clubs'' before the meeting.

He said it had long been clear that players and the clubs needed to be more serious when it came to discussing such matters.

"The clubs need to get serious. Not all of them do their homework and come prepared to discuss the issues,'' said Douglas. "It's always been that way.'' But he conceded that it was difficult to get players involved with administration, noting how similarly difficult it was to get adult males involved in PTA meetings at schools and church functions.

"It's a fact, it's happening. But the truth of the matter is that if these players are not going to get involved you are not going to get the best overall result. You will only get an opinion from the chosen few. If the men will come out in force everywhere you will see the country going forward in a more positive direction.'' Douglas said the Board would send out the recommended changes to the affiliates to be discussed with their players and then the club representative would express the club's overall stand at the Board meeting.

But this procedure was not being followed simply because the players did not want to become involved.

The Royal Gazette understands that during the vote last week two representatives of one particular club split their votes -- one supporting the Super Eight proposal and the other voting against.

"The people who should make the decisions for the clubs are the players, but they are not active enough within the club. They are only active when it comes to playing the game,'' added Douglas.

"Clubs should come to the Board meetings with something written up saying that this is our position on the issue. In this manner everybody can see that they have dome their homework and fully understand why they are rejecting a proposal.'' While reasons for rejecting the Super Eight and First Division varied among clubs, Douglas said he voted it down because of its negative effect on the overall development of cricket in Bermuda.

"We support the one senior league format primarily because we are looking at it from a broad spectrum, which is the total development of a player. I don't just look at a player to develop at a senior level. I am looking at them to develop from a junior level right on up. A Super Eight division would limit the development of others coming along.'' While agreeing that open cricket could be boring at times, Douglas disagreed with the suggestion that Bermuda should abandon it for limited overs play.

He recalled that former president of the West Indies Cricket Board of Control, Allan Rae and former Australian Test captain Bobby Simpson were among those who at one time or another stated during visits to Bermuda that limited overs restricted the development of a player.

Douglas suggested that Bermuda revert to the format of 1992, which he claimed was most successful, when both open and limited overs play was in effect.

ALLAN DOUGLAS -- `the clubs need to get serious'