He may have endured a fierce barrage of criticism for his Cup Match histrionics, but George O?Brien Jr. has begun the new year determined to prove that he has the temperament and the ability to break into the national team.

Perhaps unfairly, the young fast bowler from the East End has been painted as a cricketing bad boy since his ill-advised contretemps with Somerset?s Stephen Outerbridge at the height of a bad-tempered Classic last July.

The fallout from that and many other regrettable Cup Match incidents lasted for weeks and cast a monumental shadow over the Island?s most cherished sporting institution.

Both O?Brien and Outerbridge were forced to issue public apologies for their antics and were placed on probation by the Bermuda Cricket Board while St. George?s skipper Herbie Bascome was sacked as the Island?s Under 19 head coach.

As somebody who would rather let his exploits with the ball do the talking for him, O?Brien was seriously discomforted by this unwelcome bout of infamy and was quick to seek solace in the unwavering support of his close friends and relatives.

Now, with the worst behind him, O?Brien has been given a new lease of life by the BCB, who are sending him on an all-expenses paid winter in Australia to train at a cricket academy in Brisbane.

?I obviously regret what happened in Cup Match,? he said yesterday.

?What happened happened in the heat of the moment and I got a little over-excited. But I?ve been punished and I now I just want to get on with playing cricket because that it what is most important to me. I just wish other people would now drop it.?

Ask national coach Gus Logie or any of the numerous local batsman who had their stumps knocked back by this talented quick, and they will tell you that O?Brien, along with Stefan Kelly and Jacobi Robinson, are the most exciting fast-bowling prospects the Island has at its disposal.

At only 21 years of age, his pace is already more than decent while the hulking frame hints at something altogether more explosive to come in the months and years ahead.

Capable of swinging the new ball away from right handers, O?Brien?s strong wrist position at the point of delivery means he can extract significant movement off the wicket in either direction thanks to a gun-barrel straight seam.

His ability to deliver fast inswinging yorkers, seemingly at will, has also made him a master of mopping up stubborn tailenders.

The talent is unquestionably there, but O?Brien admits he has a lot of hard work to do on his fitness before he can mount a irresistible claim for a regular place in Clay Smith?s rejuvenated Bermuda.

?I?d say I?m about half way to where I need to be in terms of fitness,? he said.

?I took quite a lot of wickets last season just as I am but I know that if I want to open the bowling at international level I have to work harder and make sure my body can cope with it.

?That?s what I?m hoping to improve when I?m in Australia, as well as any work I need to do on my bowling. I know I can get faster and more accurate, it?s just a matter of working as hard as I can and learning from what I?m told.?

Apart from one trip to the UK, the three months O?Brien is set to spend Down Under will represent the longest period he has ever been away from home.

Logie has spoken of his sincere hope that O?Brien will use the experience as a journey of self-discovery, returning in April as a better cricketer and a better man.

O?Brien sees it exactly the same way.

?It will obviously be a challenge to be away for so long but I?m looking forward to it,? he said.

?I travel off the Island every so often but this will be the first time I?ve ever spent three months away. But it?s really good opportunity to improve and I want to make sure I take it.?