For reigning 50-overs champions Bailey’s Bay, pre-season preparations have not exactly gone to plan.

Injuries, departures overseas, family concerns and a reluctance to commit for personal reasons have reduced player numbers at training sessions.

Ahead of their highly anticipated season-opener against Western Stars at Sea Breeze Oval today, Bay combined a weekend practice match with a Tuesday evening session that attracted more players. But coach Gus Logie admits preparation has not been ideal.

“I think it’s been a slow start for Bay, there’s no two ways about it,” said Logie.

“We’ve struggled a bit for numbers, especially with some of the senior players due to injuries and some people being overseas, so we feel that we are a little bit undercooked from last year.

“The last few weeks we’ve seen some improvement and they’ve had opportunity to do some centre wicket. We’ve also had the nets available to us and the guys that have been coming have shown a lot of enthusiasm and are looking forward to the season.

“We know that it’s going to be a challenge but I think we’re up for it.”

The side’s top order includes captain Terryn Fray, Coolidge Durham, Delray Rawlins, Stephen Outerbridge and Sharye Tavares. Logie is keen to capitalise on their quality.

“The core of the batting is still with us, so we want to put more runs on the board and make certain we can defend it,” Logie said.

“But we also want to be able to chase as well. “We’re looking for that core group of guys to step up because there will be a lot of responsibility on their shoulders and we know that they can handle it.

“In the area of individual performances we want to see some improvement as well. We want to see more hundreds scored and of course we are looking for some five-wicket hauls.

“In the bowling department we are without two or three of our more senior players, with playing football having taken its toll.”

The attack’s spearhead, Macquille Walker, who is recovering from an injury he picked up playing football for Hamilton Parish, is among the missing players.

Rodney Trott has been tending to a family situation, while left-arm fast bowler Jordan Burgess has returned abroad to school.

“Young Walker hasn’t been around and he may not be available due to a football injury,” Logie said.

“Jordan [Burgess] is going back to school and, of course, we hope all will be well with Rodney Trott, but I know that they all will be with us in spirit.”

Their absence will provide an opening for budding young talent to prove themselves worthy at the senior level and Logie believes he has a few fine prospects.

“We’ll likely have to use some of the youngsters that are coming out and we’re looking at possibly a few debutants for Bay this season, so hopefully it will be exciting to watch,” said Logie.

“We have a few young ones in mind who have been coming out, doing some work and, hopefully, we will see what can happen in the next few weeks.

Fray is keen to get going this weekend against Stars, whose squad has been bolstered by the addition of Bermuda’s premier all-rounder Kamau Leverock on loan from Somerset.

“We’re looking forward to the start of the season as cricket at Bay is everything for us,” said Fray.

“There’s been a lot of preparation involved down here when it comes to the team aspect.

“There’s a lot of guys still away; others that are going to be off island this weekend; and some that haven’t committed to the season as yet for personal reasons. So we might be understrength this week but we’re still looking to come out and do the business against Western Stars.”