Bermuda's young cricketers who competed in the recent Americas Under-19 Championships have proved that the future of the game is in good hands.

That, according to Bermuda Cricket Board of Control president El James who helped bring the tournament to the Island at a time when it was in danger of being shelved.

While Bermuda finished second overall following a disappointing defeat against eventual winners Canada in their final match, James said the entire squad and their coaching staff should be commended for an outstanding performance.

"Yes, they lost but we certainly can't be writing them off for that single performance against Canada," said James. "Until that contest we saw exactly what they were capable of producing. We saw them produce a high standard and to have them perform at such a high level was very satisfactory. It's something that gives us momentum, we can continue to strive to improve our development programme.

"Overall we were really pleased with how the entire tournament went. From the Board's standpoint just to be able to host the tournament was a privilege. We took it at the last moment realising that if we didn't make the move it probably wouldn't have been held because, apart from us, Canada would have been the only other country able to host it and they had just held the ICC tournament and chances are they wouldn't have been able to do it, while Argentina is too far away."

According to the president it was now vital to try to keep the Bermuda team together, which is why the Board will be making every attempt to ensure the players receive international exposure in similar tournaments in the future.

It wasn't just the many solid batting displays that impressed James and BCBC officials but the bowling, fielding and overall deportment of the players didn't go unnoticed.

"We haven't seen this sort of level of play among our youngsters for many years and this says a lot, their performances undoubtedly gave everybody hope. If we can keep them together, help them to develop even more I think they are going to bring some pride to the country in the very near future," he added.

"They guys performed beyond their years of maturity, they performed beautifully and as far as I am concerned they were the pick of the tournament. They fell at the last hurdle but when I look at the teams man to man I am satisfied that Bermuda were the pick of the tournament.

"They were the best team but just they didn't come out on top. However, we are committed to doing everything within our power now to see that they get even more exposure, to ensure that they are kept together and given the opportunity to improve even more."

James said the championships had played a vital role in establishing closer ties with all of the nations involved. And he believed it had opened the door for Bermuda's youngsters to compete in similar competitions in other countries.