Yannic Cariah and Chad Bowes are eager to make a huge impact when the second edition of the Bermuda Smash Invitational starts tomorrow at North Field, National Sports Centre.

The pair are part of an array of foreign stars spread across the four teams who will be hoping to illuminate the scene over five matchdays.

Bowes, a South African-born New Zealand top-order batter, is counting on his batting to turn around the fortunes of Sandys Spartans. His team start off with an encounter against Pembroke Panthers at noon.

The former South Africa Under-19 captain will partner with another international, Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus, under the leadership of Kamau Leverock in a side coached by Jeff Richardson.

“I’m hoping for some free-flowing stroke play and some entertaining batting at the top of the order,” Bowes told The Royal Gazette.

“Whatever I can do to help my team win some games is what would excite me. I open the batting for Canterbury, so I’m not quite sure where I fit in, but whatever is best for the team combinations and dynamics I would be happy to play a role.

“I’ve got to adapt as soon as I can, get used to the heat, surfaces and conditions, and try my best to make an impact straight away.

“The more engagement and interaction the fans can have, the better the tournament will be. It’s not only about the players; the fans understand that they also have a part to play in making the event exciting.”

Cariah expressed his desire to secure the title for Smith's Sixers with his leg spin and middle-order batting. They go up against champions Hamilton Parish Hurricanes in a match starting at 4.30pm.

“I’m really excited to be in Bermuda for the first time and to play in a tournament like this,” the Trinidadian said.

“My role is to take wickets, so once I get the ball, that’s what I’m going to do. I’m a leg spinner and an attacking bowler, so whatever the situation, I’m looking forward to making an impact.

“I also bat in the top six for my country in T20 cricket, so I’m planning to contribute with the bat as well.

“I want to share as much information with my team-mates, and learn from them as well in the process.”

What excited Bowes when the tournament organisers reached out to him was the prospect of playing a part in the growth of cricket on the island.

“I heard about the first edition when it happened last year,” the 32-year-old said.

“But I didn't know too much about it until the guys organising it contacted me asking if I was interested — and, obviously, I was.

“It looks like a cool tournament and a new place in the world. They look like they want to do things properly and set up a good competition, so I was more than happy to accept the invitation.

“It’s a new place in the world I've never been to, and also that Bermuda’s cricket is going to grow and develop. To be able to play a role in the development of this country is valuable for any player, so that was an incentive to be part of the tournament.

“I’ve only played in South Africa, New Zealand and Sri Lanka before. I haven't played in the Caribbean, either, so playing in Bermuda will be a unique challenge for me.”

Cariah, a player with 16 caps for West Indies, was drawn to Bermuda by the positive feedback he received from Carlos Brathwaite and Raymon Reifer, who were part of the first edition last year.

“My agent reached out to say the organisers want me to come across and play some cricket, and I was really excited when she messaged me,” he said.

“I followed the tournament last year and I saw that it was a good tournament, so it’s really exciting to be part of it this year.

“The feedback we got from Carlos Brathwaite and Raymon Reifer was tremendous. They said it was a fantastic tournament and that made me eager to be a part of it.”

Jonté Smith is keen to know what part he has to play after making a switch from Sixers to Hurricanes. The Bermuda all-rounder opened the batting in the first edition, but going to a side that did well last year, he is not sure if he will bat up the order.

“With being traded to a new team I’m looking forward to learning and understanding a new dynamic, finding out what my role might be in this team,” he said.

“Last year I opened the batting, but I’m joining a team that had a successful tournament with the bat and ball, so it’ll be interesting to see how I fit into their plans.

“I’ve been doing a lot of work with the bowling machine and the national team, preparing for the Bermuda Smash Invitational and World Cup qualifiers, so it’s been a lot of cricket these last couple of months.

“Speaking on the Smash, I want to help the Hurricanes to retain the title that they won last year and on a personal level, I want to challenge myself against the professionals.

“I want to see where my ability and technique measures up, so that I know where to improve. Facing players of that calibre can help you to do that, and all I want to do is to continue getting better at my craft.”