abroad. This week, we turn the spotlight on cricketer Clarence `Tuppence' Parfitt, arguably Bermuda's best-ever bowler.

It was only after demon bowler Clarence `Tuppence' Parfitt had broken just about every record in the local annals of the game that the man now described as "Bermuda's best cricket export'' decided to turn professional. And in common with other Bermudian sportsmen seeking the greatest heights, he had to leave home to achieve his goal.

He chose Scotland as the next pitch to conquer -- and at 46, an age when most cricketers are settling down with the latest copy of Wisden's Almanac and dreams of glory past, he realised his life's ambition by making his debut at Lord's.

Far from being intimidated by cricket's most revered setting, the 46-year-old went on to lead Scotland in a dramatic, seven-wicket win over the MCC.

Describing that momentous August day in 1990 as "everything and more than I thought it would be'', the Bermudian certainly left his own personal mark on that hallowed green pitch, taking 6-57 in the first innings and 3-71 in the second.

But Mr. Parfitt does not consider that event to be the most exciting day of his cricketing life; that is reserved for his very first Cup Match game back in 1965 when, as a colt, the St. George's player took 15 Somerset wickets for 43 runs. This, after all, was the day on which a Bermuda legend was born, a legend which, almost 30 years later, shines as brightly as ever.

For besides his Cup Match career, in which he bowled more overs (598) and with 115 wickets, took more than anyone else , the left-armed swing bowler was a Bermuda international player who performed the rare feat of twice taking ten wickets in an innings. In 1977 he moved to Scotland and became a professional for Arbroath and Stenhousmuir.

In spite of his brilliant (and prolonged) Scottish career, Tuppence Parfitt has not been invited back to play for his homeland in international matches, nor has he returned to play in any subsequent Cup Matches.

Mr. Tommy Aitchison, founder and editor of the now defunct Bermuda Cricket Annual, who states unequivocally that `Tuppence' Parfitt is quite simply "the best bowler the country ever produced'' believes that Bermuda made an error in failing to pick him for the International Cricket Conference (ICC) tournament at the time of his Scottish triumph: "At that time, we were really hard up for bowlers. But although he was available, for some reason he wasn't asked to play.'' Speaking from his home in the picturesque fishing village of Arbroath, Mr.

Parfitt admits that although he once had hopes of becoming Bermuda's national coach, "it doesn't look as if it will ever happen. I'm not keeping my hopes up any more. I'm just getting on with my own life. I'm very happy here as the people are so nice and I enjoy my jobs, working with young people.'' These days, Bermuda's most celebrated bowler works as sports coach supervisor for Dundee District Council, with a staff of three and is the youth coordinator in a youth club. He is also the manager, selector and coach for the Northern District of Scotland Cricket Association.

The Royal Gazette sports reporter, Mr. Lawrence Trott, who has been writing about Mr. Parfitt since the late 1970s, sums up the feelings of many: "Without a doubt, he was one of the best bowlers Bermuda ever had -- in many people's minds, the very best. Any young cricketer today who didn't have a chance to see Parfitt at his best missed something special because we simply don't have bowlers today of that calibre. In fact, we may never see another bowler of his calibre.'' Mr. Randy Horton, who as captain of the arch-rival Somerset team, remembers many a colourful clash with the St. George's bowler, joins in the chorus of acclaim: "I'll never forget him wreaking havoc all over the place. He was the reason we had so much difficulty in winning the cup back from St. George's for so many years! I never saw a bowler who bowled so accurately with such economy of effort.'' He looks back, too, to the times when they played on the same team, representing Bermuda on overseas tours: "I really enjoyed playing with him.

It was a joy to be in a partnership with him.'' On the debit side, however, Mr. Horton confesses that as a captain, he would probably have found `Tuppence' something of a trial.

"He was so relaxed, and half the time you couldn't find him, as he'd be off talking to spectators and socialising. But once he was out on that field, you'd better watch out!'' His love affair with cricket began as a little boy in Shelly Bay. His mother, Mrs. Peggy Parfitt says "he lived for cricket'' and it was always his desire to beat his cousin, Alex `Cocky' Steede, the first Cup Match bowler to take 100 wickets in 1949. This ambition was soon realised.

She says his other desire was to play at Lord's and when he finally did play there, he phoned her and said "Mom, I did it, I did it -- I've taken my first wicket at Lord's!'' Mrs. Parfitt reveals that it was an English nurse who bestowed the name of `Tuppence' on the tiny, four and half pound baby boy who made his appearance on July 16, 1943. "The name just stuck and I've called him that ever since,'' she laughs.

Asked why he thought Bermuda produced so many fine cricketers in his hey-day, Mr. Parfitt says he feels that there was a stronger sense of dedication and hard work when he was young, adding that demands and personal discipline seem slacker today. "When I was a kid, you had to work, really struggle to get on a team!'' he said.

Living close to Cup Match players Donald Steede and Llewellyn Dembrook provided early inspiration, he says. He also pays tribute to the great contribution made by Alma `Champ' Hunt (described by Mr. Aitchison as the Island's greatest `all-rounder'). "He was my coach all through primary and high school, and even after that. I owe him a whole lot. And also `Bunkers' Bean and `Bummy' Symonds who both helped me out when I played for St.

George's.'' He says he made up his mind to be a professional cricketer when he was still in high school. "You have to get to people while they are still young.

Bermuda should have junior leagues, like they do in Scotland. Where I'm living, we have under-15, 16 and 18 leagues. It has to be developed by that age.'' Mr. Parfitt is pleased to hear that cricket in Bermuda is now under one administrative umbrella. "It makes sense, especially in such a small place.

But they need a full-time coach if they are going to bring on youngsters.'' Former sports editor of The Mid Ocean News , Mr. Chris Gibbons recalls that he only saw Tuppence Parfitt play once, in 1987: "I saw him play against the MCC. For some reason, he was playing in borrowed boots -- and he bamboozled them! He does a `cutter' -- comes in really low. Some batsmen would swear that he turned the ball 90 degrees. In his day, he was unplayable.'' HIGHLIGHT -- Clarence Parfitt seen bowling for Scotland against the MCC at cricket's headquarters, Lord's, in London in 1990.

MASTER TEACHER -- Clarence Parfitt gives some tips to Bermudian youngsters while back on the Island for a visit.