BERMUDA reaching the final might be the icing on the cake for what has been a spectacular inaugural World Cricket Classic this week.

If the sceptics ? this writer included ? wondered whether this event could match the success of its rugby predecessor their reservations have been put firmly to rest.

If anything ? and Rugby Classic founder John Kane, also a driving force behind this week?s tournament, might not entirely agree ? the Cricket Classic has broader appeal than the rugby and the potential to become much bigger.

While cricket purists might not like the ?slam, bam, thankyou ma?am? 20-20 version of the game, there?s no getting away from the fact that it can be hugely entertaining.

We?ve seen more sixes and fours at the National Sports Centre this week than you?d witness in an entire summer of Test cricket.

The spirit in which the games have been played has been terrific but perhaps most impressive of all has been the way in which the NSC has been transformed into a first class international venue.

Lord MacLaurin, former chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, made the observation that facilities here have been every bit as good as what one might find at an English county ground.

Having travelled to more than a few county venues in England, I?d say the NSC this week might even be superior to many of those grounds ? a couple of larger scoreboards and bigger pavilion, which of course are planned in the promised-to-be-constructed Centre Core, and there?s no reason at all why Bermuda couldn?t host One-Day Internationals and perhaps even a Test match.

As for the Classic itself, one would like to think that it will become a permanent fixture on the calendar.

Already the Australians, beaten in their opening match by South Africa this week, are talking about exacting their revenge with a much stronger squad next year.

That, of course, could mean players like the recently retired Waugh twins, maybe even Alan Border and a host of other big names joining the party.

And if Australia were to take that route, the response from other countries might be equally emphatic. As we said, the potential for growth is enormous.

It?s exceeded expectations this time around, and it can only get better.

If there?s one issue, however, that might have to be addressed, it?s the make-up of Bermuda?s team.

With next year?s World Cup looming, the Classic has provided a nice fit in coach Gus Logie?s preparations and it?s unlikely on this occasion that any of the visiting players are going to quibble in the difference in their age and that of the Bermuda players in an event which was always aimed at cricketers who have retired from the first class game.

But after next year?s World Cup it might be prudent for Bermuda to at least include a smattering of our own ?golden oldies.?

SPORTING records, they say, are made to be broken. But Anthony (Brenton) Roberts might have set a mark which will never be beaten.

For 35 years he?s held the post of Director of Youth and Sport, serving under no less than 32 Sports Ministers.

Finally this week he called it a day, a well-attended luncheon at the Fairmont Southampton providing a fitting send-off.

Former ministers from both parties paid their tributes, as did many others who have worked with or under a man who has arguably done more than anybody else to shape the way in which sports is administered in this Island.

Among many of his initiatives have been the Government Annual Sports Awards and the annual Government Sports Conference. He?s been involved with the implementation of drug polices, he?s worked closely with the clubs, the Olympic Association and at some time or another with every single one of Bermuda?s sports governing bodies.

Much of that work has been carried out quietly, diplomatically and without fanfare ? effective yet often without recognition.

Those who have appreciated and often benefited from his efforts most are the very ministers under whom he has served, most of whom, if not all, would tell you that without his guidance their job would have been considerably more difficult.

Whoever takes Roberts? place ? and an appointment has yet to be made ? has some big shoes to fill.

We wish him a long and happy retirement.