JUDGING by some of the arrows fired at Bermuda Cricket Board over the past couple of weeks, one could be forgiven for thinking the sport was in a state or turmoil.

All of a sudden the euphoria of last summer?s World Cup qualifying success seems a distant memory.

Rumblings about a ?BCB dictatorship? seem to be at the top of the detractors? agenda, although it?s been difficult to fathom out any specific concerns from those who have jumped on the anti-Board bandwagon.

Those making the noise ? most of them former players or administrators who these days contribute little to the sport other than criticism ? appear to be feeding off each other, none of them quite sure exactly what it is they?re unhappy about.

What they seem to have conveniently forgotten is that cricket is probably in a healthier state now than it?s ever been.

Perhaps they should consider the following:

Bermuda has, for the first time, qualified for a World Cup.

In Trinidadian coach Gus Logie, the team arguably possess the best leader, motivator and tactician, that we?ve had in recent memory.

The players themselves, while suffering a disappointing setback during their recent tour of Namibia, are by and large committed and passionate about their cause, and eager to learn.

Government have pledged $11 million for both World Cup preparation and development of the sport.

And corporate sponsors have shown a willingness to play their part, thanks in part to some aggressive marketing by certain individuals on the Board.

All of that doesn?t mean the BCB are doing everything right. They?re certainly not beyond reproach.

Much like the players on the field, they?re going to make mistakes off it.

But Sports Minister Dale Butler would appear to have got it right when he called on those behind the scenes to ?stop the bickering?.

As Butler pointed out, if there are valid concerns about the way cricket is being run then there?s a proper way for the affiliates to address those concerns.

Cricket can only go forward if the various clubs work together. The affiliates need to remember that it was they who put the current executive in power and can remove them just as easily.

However, claims of a dictatorship seem a little far fetched.

On almost every executive, there are one or two people who carry out the bulk of the work and make the day to day decisions, not all of them easy ? others who could contribute often simply can?t be bothered.

Yet as soon as something isn?t to their liking, they?re quick to criticise.

A claim made recently in this newspaper was that Bermuda possessed competent cricket administrators who weren?t being utilised.

But where are they? Why haven?t they stepped forward? Why didn?t they make themselves available at the last annual general meeting?

If those currently criticising so much aren?t willing to contribute in a constructive way, they could serve the sport so much better by keeping their mouths shut.