Bermuda set the World Cup ball rolling
Bermuda became the first of the visiting World Cup sides to arrive in the Caribbean for next month’s cricket spectacular when they touched down in Antigua last night.
And they’ll achieve another first this Sunday when they take on Bangladesh in an ICC Tri-Series match, marking the first time Bermuda have met a Test nation in an official One-Day International.
The Island squad of 15 will now remain in the Caribbean until the World Cup opening ceremony in Jamaica on March 11, playing against Bangladesh and then Canada next Monday in Antigua before flying over to St. Vincent for World Cup warm-up matches against England (March 5) and Zimbabwe (March 8).
Their first World Cup match against Sri Lanka in Group B takes place in Trinidad on March 15, followed by India on March 19 and Bangladesh on March 25.
Bangladesh will be the second of the World Cup teams to arrive in the Caribbean when they fly into Antigua this afternoon with Canada due to arrive on Friday.
Other teams are expected to start arriving next week.
Before leaving yesterday, Bermuda vice-captain Dean Minors listed ironing out any remaining kinks, lifting team morale and gaining momentum ahead of the World Cup as key objectives for the Antigua tour.
“One of our main priorities is to continue working on the mental and physical sides of our game,” said Minors. “We’ve proven in the past that we can compete at a high level. But now it’s important that we try to compete at a high level on a more consistent basis.”
Bermuda are coming off an inspiring five-wicket win over Scotland at the World Cricket League in Kenya earlier this month — their only victory in a tournament in which they lost to Kenya, Holland, Ireland and Canada.
And Minors is optimistic the team will give a good account of themselves during the triangular series in Antigua.
“If we can put up put up some good totals and take our chances in the field, then we should okay,” he said.
Minors and long-time friend Clay Smith have formed what is fast developing into a fruitful partnership batting at the top of the order. And it’s a challenge the former middle order bat is relishing.
“It’s definitely a new challenge for me, facing the new ball,” he said. “Obviously the ball comes onto the bat a bit quicker and swings about. But then the old ball also swings about and so really it hasn’t been a major adjustment for me.”
As for his new role with Smith, Minors reckons the best is still to come.
“I feel very comfortable batting with Clay as we are both aware of our roles. And hopefully in Antigua we can give the team solid foundations to build upon,” he added.
“Overall our main goal is to try and put everything together and play to the best of our ability. And if we can achieve this, then greater will be our chances for success.”
On paper Bermuda’s batting line-up is strong with skipper Irving Romaine, Minors, Smith, David Hemp and new Southampton Rangers player/coach Janeiro Tucker all having shown in Kenya that they are beginning to find some form.
Bermuda will again look to quickie Kevin Hurdle to make the early breakthrough with the new ball which could be shared with the likes of Saleem Mukuddem or youngsters Stefan Kelly and Malachi Jones on tour.
The charismatic Dwayne (Sluggo) Leverock will lead the Island’s spin attack backed up by understudy Delyone Borden with skipper Romaine also capable of holding his own with the ball.
Hemp, Tucker and Lionel Cann — who will captain St.David’s this summer — will be relied upon to deliver the goods with the old ball.
“Everything we set out to achieve is all a part of a process,” Minors said. “And so if we can stick to the game plan and execute on the day, then we should be okay.”
