National cricket team selector Lionel Thomas is looking for an improved performance from the Island’s cricketers against an Indian team also in desperate need of a win at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad today.

The former Devonshire, St.George’s Cup Match and Bermuda all-rounder believes the side played nowhere near their full potential in last week’s humbling 243-run loss to Sri Lanka on their World Cup debut in Port of Spain.

“I thought we should’ve performed a lot better and I believe our guys were overawed by the occasion. I don’t think they lost because they don’t know how to play cricket. I’ve been around the players long enough to know that they have been taught differently,” he said.

“Our field placing and running between the wickets wasn’t good enough, and obviously we are not tigers in the field. So those are little things the guys could learn from, and I do hope they can learn from these mistakes.

“The World Cup is as big as it gets, and having played the game myself I do realise that things can be easier said than done.

“But I sincerely hope the guys have learned from their mistakes and can give a better performance in the next game.”

After suffering the second biggest defeat in World Cup history to the Sri Lankans in their opening match at the Oval, Bermuda’s hopes of advancing from Group B to the next round (Super Eight) now hinges largely on how they respond against India today and Bangladesh on Sunday.

Thomas said it was vital Bermuda acquitted themselves better than they did last week if they were to salvage any pride.

“I think we have to save face in these last two games and not get embarrassed because the whole world is looking at us,” he said. “We are the best team in the ICC Americas region, but certainly not acting like it at the moment.” Thomas said he anticipated coach Gus Logie making a few minor adjustments to the team for today’s big clash with Rahul Dravid and company.

“I believe there’s definitely going to be some changes made, and I would hope that some of the younger players get a chance to play because we have to start looking to them going forward,” he added.

Chairman of national cricket team selectors Arnold Manders, meanwhile, is also looking for progress today.

“I thought we did well in the field, although we did bowl a couple of bad overs here and there and could’ve saved a few more runs against Sri Lanka,” he said. “And our batsmen must also try and stay at the wicket a little longer.”

As for Bermuda’s swift dismissal against Sri Lanka, Manders noted: “I think the guys were overawed by the speed that Malinga (Sri Lanka pacer Lasith Malinga) was bowling.” Malinga claimed three wickets for ten runs off five overs, including two maidens, to lead the Sri Lanka attack.

“He caused most of the problems for our batsmen who aren’t used to facing that kind of bowling on a more consistent basis,” Manders said.