Former national coach Mark Harper has urged local cricketers and administrators to use the recent World Cup experience as a launching pad for further international success.

As a commentator during Bermuda's Group B matches in Trinidad last month, the Guyanese national was able to thoroughly assess the local team.

Before his contract with Bermuda Cricket Board expired in 2004, Harper helped plant the seeds for the Island's first World Cup appearance by qualifying the team for the 2005 ICC Trophy in Ireland.

He is also credited for the reintroduction of two-day cricket on Bermuda's shores, a format Harper insists is crucial to the development of the sport in any region.

"Seeing the guys playing at the World Cup was very special and I hope this will give the cricketers, Board members and Bermuda's young players a springboard to help develop their game to the necessary standard to be competitive at the international level," said Harper, speaking from Guyana yesterday.

As for Bermuda's overall World Cup performance, Harper acknowledged the team showed flashes of potential but overall he said the batting was below par and the team lacked an additional strike bowler.

"I thought that Bermuda had their moments but the batting was not up to par for the world stage," he added. "But the future looks good if Gus (coach Gus Logie) stays around and young players such as OJ (Pitcher), Stephen (Outerbridge), Delyone (Borden), Stefan (Kelly) and Malachi (Jones) can all fulfil their potential.

"I think this a solid pool of cricketers that can one day be very effective on the world stage."

Harper encouraged the Island's cricketers to set their sights on bigger and better achievements.

"Bermuda must not be content with just playing on the world stage, they must also have the desire to be competitive and win matches," he said.

He also believes bowlers such as national team reject George O'Brien Jr have a promising future if they are prepared to commit themselves to the sport.

" I think a fit and composed George O'Brien would have been a handful on the pitches in Trinidad that assisted the seamers," he said.