News this week that Government will seek to amend the environmental restrictions governing the importation of foreign soil was “music to the ears” of Bermuda Cricket Board, chief executive Neil Speight admitted last night.

Since the national team qualified for the World Cup in the summer of 2005, local cricket’s governing body have made it clear their vision for the future of the game in Bermuda was being undermined by the absence of a viable ground on which to play home One-Day Internationals.

But with Sports Minister Randy Horton revealing that he would be tabling amendments to the laws some time in the current parliamentary session, it’s now possible that Bermuda will be able to host international teams by the start of next summer.

Asked for his thoughts on the matter yesterday, Speight insisted the Board would stay well away from the brewing political row begun by Opposition MP John Barritt on Thursday over whether importing soil from overseas to re-lay the National Sports Centre’s square would be environmentally safe.

A Government spokesman confirmed last night that the proposal to amend the law had the full backing of the Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield and Premier Ewart Brown.

“We’re not going to get involved in that at all,” said Speight.

“This issue has been going on for a long time now (almost three years) and as far as I’m aware there have been lots of different people working on it at different times.

“So I’m certainly hopeful that after all this time a decision can be reached that is in the best interests of both cricket and the environment.

“As I’ve said many times, I think most people recognise how important it is that we have a quality national stadium for cricket. Without one we’re at a major disadvantage when it comes to preparing our national side for the task of re-qualifying for the World Cup in 2009.

“I had an opportunity during the World Cup to speak briefly with the Premier about this and it was heartening because he pledged his support and said he would ensure that progress was made.”

Barritt said earlier this week that both he and his party “disagreed in the strongest possible terms” with Government’s plans to change the law.

“Soil is a particularly dangerous media. Nothing else in the world contains more bacteria per unit volume than soil. It is why we have permanent embargoes on various foreign fresh food crops because of the pests that could accompany them.

“There is no telling what imported soil contains, unless it is properly sterilised . . .There is no need to change the regulations. Soil can be made here at home quite easily. We have the expertise and we have the materials to do it. It just takes a little effort and a little faith in ourselves to do it.

“The Minister’s out-of-the-blue proposal is reckless in its intent, and quite frightening considering the potential consequences for the country.”

In his initial statement, the Sports Minister said any soil that was brought in “would be properly treated at both ends” while a pitch expert from the International Cricket Council has already disagreed with Barritt’s assertion that the square could be re-laid using local soil.

Meanwhile, Speight said yesterday the Board “had a number of irons in the fire” with regards to the national team’s fixture list for 2007 — adding he was confident they would be back in action before the scheduled tour of Ireland in August.

“We have a fixture list mapped out for us under the ICC’s high performance programme but we are always looking for ways to supplement that,” he said.

“One of the big advantages of both Reggie (Pearman, the BCB president) and myself going to the World Cup was that we had the opportunity to speak with representatives from other nations and negotiate with them in terms of organising additional fixtures.

“We’re in discussions with countries like Scotland, Uganda and Denmark and though we’re disappointed that Lloyds will now not be coming in July, we’re actively looking for alternative games.

“There’s no doubt the national side will be back in action before August, though where and when has yet to be finalised.”

Asked for his view on the arguments of India captain Rahul Dravid and others that Bermuda would only improve if they played more regularly against Test nations, Speight said: “I’ve had long discussions with the national coach about the quality of the opposition he’d like to play against and he is of the view that we’d be better off playing the likes of Zimbabwe and Bangladesh rather than Australia and South Africa.

“We’ve got to be realistic. When you train for a marathon you’ve got to build up the miles slowly and methodically — you just don’t go out there and try to run 26 miles at six-minute-mile pace.

“We will work hard to make sure the team gets regular exposure to quality opposition and when we have a home venue it may also be possible to bring in a big Test team from time to time which would be a fantastic boost for the game in this country.

“We’ve got Richard Done (the ICC’s high performance manager) flying to the Island on Tuesday and Gus and I will sit down with him to design a programme which will hopefully put us in the best possible position to re-qualify in 2009.

“There’s a lot to be said for making sure you take your time and get things right in the planning stage, rather than just rushing out there and playing games for the sake of it — particularly with the national team now in a re-building phase.”