Derrick Brangman has made a blistering start to the cricket season and credits his performances to training with the national squad.

Brangman, 35, has scored back-to-back half centuries and taken six wickets in his first two outings with Premier Division 50 Overs champions St David’s, with the all-rounder crediting his form to preparation for the ICC America’s T20 Regional Final, which the island will host in September.

“The national squad training has definitely helped,” Brangman told The Royal Gazette.

“I train pretty much every day Monday through to Friday and then have a break on Saturday.

“I do everything; gym work on Monday, running on Tuesday and Wednesday, cricket training on Thursday and then back to the gym again on Friday to get ready for the T20 World Cup qualifiers. I know it’s only 20 overs but you have to be as fit as possible.”

Brangman stroked 57 and took two for 58 with his left-arm spin in St David’s 51-run loss in the East End derby against St George’s at Wellington Oval in their season opener.

He then followed up with another innings of 57 and claimed four for 49 in his team’s 72-run defeat against Eastern Counties champions Bailey’s Bay at Sea Breeze Oval last weekend.

“I am an experienced player so I have to do what I can for the team,” Brangman said.

Although he has already made a considerable impact with both bat and ball, the Somerset Cup Match player reckons he still has more to offer.

“My performance is getting there and I’m getting a little better with the bat and ball,” he said.

While Brangman has enjoyed individual success, the same cannot be said for his team as St David’s are still searching for a maiden 50-overs win this season.

The champions are fifth in the seven-team league but have a game in hand on two of the teams above them, including leaders Bailey’s Bay.

Brangman attributes his team’s poor start to the campaign to a lack of patience at the top of the batting order and a lack of discipline in the field.

“I just feel we give up too many runs in the field and lose patience when we bat,” he said. “We don’t stick to the wicket and I am coming to the wicket 30-something for four every week, and it’s been happening for years.”

Back on the international front, Brangman has been included in a provisional 17-strong national team training squad for the upcoming ICC America’s T20 Regional Final.

Bermuda will compete at home against regional powerhouse Canada, Cayman Islands and Panama for the sole 2024 ICC T20 World Cup spot available, with matches taking place at North Field, National Sports Centre, and White Hill Field from September 28 to October 8.

Brangman is cautiously optimistic he and his fellow team-mates can be equal to the task.

“I think we are going to be up for the challenge and the squad is doing well,” he said. “As long as the guys keep coming out and do their best in training, we will be all right.

“I know it’s hard because we don’t play as many matches as the other teams, but we can only do so much. It’s going to be a really exciting tournament and it’s nice to see the national team players performing so good at the start of the season.”

Brangman was in the Bermuda team that went undefeated in the first stage of the T20 qualifiers in Argentina in March and is quick to underline the importance of team spirit.

“I think it’s an unbelievable team,” he added. “When I went to Argentina with them, it was the first time I have ever felt like that with those bunch of guys.

“Everybody is encouraging each other to try and get to that next level. We want to win and know it’s hard, but that’s what you need in cricket, you have to go all the way.”