There has been a familiar face in the broadcasting booth at the Queen’s Park Oval this week — former Bermuda national cricket coach turned cricket commentator Mark Harper.

The tall Guyanese national, brother of former West Indies off spinner and current coach of Kenya coach Roger Harper, is in Trinidad to commentate on all World Cup Group B matches for Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

Before his term as the Island’s national cricket coach expired in 2004, Harper helped plant the seeds for Bermuda’s ascent to the World Cup by ensuring the team qualified for the 2005 ICC Trophy in Ireland.

And although he is no longer around, Harper still keeps close tabs on his former team as they combat the challenges associated with playing the sport at a very competitive level.

“I’ve been following Bermuda very closely because I have become attached to the guys. I definitely have seen some improvement in them, and I really want to see them do well in the World Cup,” Harper said.

“I do feel a part of what Bermuda has achieved because I remember we worked very hard in the 2004 in the Americas Championship when the team then was just starting to gel. So I have to say that I am very happy to have played a part in Bermuda’s ascension in the World Cup.”

Interviewed before Bermuda’s first match agaisnt Sri Lanka, Harper said: “Of course, some of their performances of late have been disappointing. But I know they have enough talent in the team to give a good account of themselves. I’m really happy for Clay Smith because this (World Cup) has always been a dream of his. I recall him speaking about Bermuda being in the World Cup. So I am glad his dream was able to come true and that he’s able to participate in this tournament.”

Harper said he was also pleased to see some of the younger players such as St. David’s Islanders OJ Pitcher, Delyone Borden and Stefan Kelly and Southampton Rangers’ Malachi Jones break into the team — the latter who became one of the youngest players to appear in world cricket’s showpiece event.

“It is so heart warming to see Malachi in the team. When I was leaving Bermuda he was just starting to show his potential and now he has catapulted himself into the senior national programme,” he added.

“It is really good to see that. And I hope this would give other youngsters the confidence and desire to want to take the game very seriously. I’m happy for all the guys and Bermuda who have managed to finally made it to the World Cup.”

Harper said he hoped one day Bermuda could evolve into a force in one-day cricket.

“I hope that after the World Cup the game doesn’t die in Bermuda. Hopefully they will give it their best shot so that the national team will go on and qualify for the next World Cup (2011),” he said.

The Guyanese national was also pleased to see Government investing more money in the sport locally.

“It’s good to see Government has decided to give more funding to cricket in Bermuda because that was something that was needed. And I just hope that money is being well spent,” Harper said.

With Bermuda having been rank underdogs against former World Cup champions Sri Lanka and India, Harper believes the Island’s best hopes for a win in Trinidad are against a Bangladesh side that recently defeated Gus Logie’s team by eight wickets in Antigua.

“I definitely see the game against Bangladesh as one Bermuda should be looking to win because in the other games you are coming up against established Test teams,” he said. “Obviously you want to make a good account of yourself and want to show the world that you do have good cricketers and are capable of playing competitively. And I think the team is capable of achieving that.”

If there is any downside to Bermuda’s success on the international scene, then it is the lack of commitment or interest shown by some of the Island’s top cricketers such as batsmen Glenn Blakeney, Chris Foggo and Dion Stovell and seamers George O’Brien Jr. and Jacobi Robinson to name a few, said Harper.

“These are guys I think have something to offer Bermuda cricket. But it all depends on their desire to play,” Harper said.

As for his new chosen profession, Harper said: “I have been commentating on first-class matches in Guyana. But it is nice to get an opportunity to come to the World Cup and also special to get the opportunity to commentate the Bermuda games.”

Sharing some of his thoughts on the West Indies’ successful start to the tournament, Harper said: “After their performance in the warm-up (nine-wicket loss to India) I think the guys realised they needed to come back strong.

“And I think the win against Pakistan, one of the better teams in the tournament, sort of boosted morale for the players and fans in the Caribbean.

“They (West Indies) were under a lot of pressure but were able to rise to the occasion. And I feel the support of the fans in the Caribbean has really helped push the guys.”