The Bermuda Cricket Board is pulling out all the stops to ensure that the national side has the mental toughness to cope with the competition in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Americas Regional Qualifier.

Omar Henry, the first non-White cricketer to represent South Africa in international cricket in the post-apartheid era, is on the island to mentor the Bermuda team, while sports psychologist David Scott will also be working with players during this crucial period.

Henry, 71, accepted an invitation from Bermuda Cricket Board president Arnold Manders after the two met in Australia last year at the Over-60s Cricket World Cup. The former South African chief selector is in Bermuda until October 11 and will have an opportunity to meet with other cricket administrators on the island.

“I met Arnold Manders at the Over-60s World Cup in Australia,’’ Henry said.

“I had the privilege to play with one of his team-mates in Scotland, Clarence Parfitt. He was a legend in Scotland by the time I went there. Arnold invited me to come here and assist where I can, hopefully we can improve Bermuda cricket.

“At this stage, they need to focus on the mindset. They have got to where they are because of their abilities, their skills and talent. That should stand them in good stead.

“When you come to a World Cup, it’s anyone’s game and it’s often a case of who is more hungrier than the opposition on the day to win.

“Within that space, it is up to each individual mindset and self belief. At the last 50-over World Cup, England beat New Zealand and it was all down to Ben Stokes because he believed and that was it.

“You can prepare as much as you want but the key is how do you deal with the situationin front of you. If you’re smart and clever enough and you’ve played enough cricket then you’ll be able to apply those skills and be determined to win the game.

“I will look at them and then we will have a chat and see what is the best way for me to assist them and to provide them with the necessary tools and what situation they’re confronted with.

“Hopefully, I can provide them with some methodology and sort of strategies that will make them capable of competing.

“If they do the right things at the right times they might come out winners at the end of the day. I want them to qualify.

Manders feels that the adversities Henry had to overcome should serve as an inspiration for the players.

“His story, with our players it will mean a lot to take them to the next level,’’ Manders said.

“To do the things that he’s done is remarkable and I think if they listen to him they’ll get it, that’s the main purpose of bringing him here.

“I think he can bring a lot to the players when it comes to the thinking of the game and the mental part and we've been really weak over the years and teams know it.

“We also have David Scott coming again to work on their mental side. We've got David, we've got Omar, we've got Niraj Odedra.

“Hopefully the players have seen the importance of it and seen the things we’re trying to do to make sure that they get across the line.

“We may never get this opportunity again in coming to a four-team tournament with the top one going straight to the World Cup. When I was playing we had all these stages.

“For us it’s the financial part so we can do the things we need to do to get our seniors up the ranking more and to get the development coming behind them. It takes money and everybody knows this is the ideal opportunity.

“We can take it or just shake it and leave it. I’s up to the players and the coach and the Bermuda public to make sure they get out to the games and push the team.”