English county cricket star David Hemp is promising his detractors he isn?t just a bat for hire but ?determined to help Bermuda cricket before, during and well after the 2007 World Cup?.

In his first local interview since jetting into the Island to begin his 100 days of cricket work to gain eligibility for international tournaments, the Glamorgan early-order batsman told that he wasn?t interested in just playing World Cup cricket and then disappearing but wanted to help ?make a long-term difference in Bermuda?.

Bermuda-born Hemp, who has scored more than 12,000 first-class runs, played alongside Brian Lara and represented England ?A?, arrived here late last week to work with the Bermuda Cricket Board on a wide range of administrative tasks in a ten-week stint now and another six weeks after New Year.

And although the batsman will not make his international debut for Gus Logie?s men until next October ? if selected ? he is hoping he can offer plenty to the domestic game before then.

?This isn?t just about the World Cup,? said Hemp, who is already eligible for the World Cup itself but needs to get his 100 days of cricket work in to be able to play in either ICC sanctioned tournaments, including the Intercontinental Cup and the World Cricket League.

?I didn?t think I would be eligible even though I was born in Bermuda because I had played for England A but when I found out I was able to play, I was keen to get involved.

?But I made it clear to Neil Speight (BCB chief executive) that I wasn?t just interested in playing in the World Cup and then leaving again and he made it clear that he shared that view.

?I view my involvement in Bermuda cricket as a long-term thing. This isn?t about the World Cup, it is about my involvement all the way through the 2009 ICC Trophy and then the next World Cup and offering all the experience I have gained in 15 years of country cricket and trying to help out where I can.

?The first thing is to get in my 100 days, then it is to get selected and, after that, I will do everything I can to help Bermuda cricket in whatever way I can.?

And on the field, there is no questioning Hemp?s pedigree and what he may have to offer.

He has played with the likes of Matthew Elliott, Matthew Maynard, Viv Richards, Brian Lara ? ?it was incredible being 22 yards away from a genius? ? and Allan Donald and against almost every member of the England team as well as Courtney Walsh, Wasim Akram and Shane Warne.

He bats at number three in the four-day game for his county and at number five in the one-day version but would be happy to go in anywhere for Bermuda, including the troubled opening spot, which has been coach Gus Logie?s biggest area of concern this summer.

?If selected, I would happy to play anywhere they think they could use me,? continued Hemp, who turns 35 on Tuesday.

?I have opened before at various times in my cricket in all the different formats of the game and would be happy to do so again if that?s where they think I am best used.

?I know that Bermuda are pretty settled with their middle order but I am here to offer my experience wherever they want me.?

And as for the World Cup itself, Hemp is already getting enthused about the mouthwatering promise of taking part in the greatest cricketing show on earth.

?You watch the matches on TV and think how great it would be to be a part of it,? continued Hemp, who toured India in 1995 with an England A side that included Dominic Cork, Mark Ramprakash and Mark Ilott.

?There was a time when I thought I would go on into the England team, that is every cricketer?s dream, but I was one of only three from that England A side who didn?t make it to Test cricket.

?I didn?t think then I would be involved in the World Cup because I didn?t think I could be eligible for Bermuda but then when I realised that I was, it became an exciting prospect again.

?Who wouldn?t want to be involved in a tournament with the greatest players in the world and all the TV and hype?

?I think it would be a great experience to be involved in 2007 and maybe even in 2011 if we can qualify.

?I?d like to think my experiences over the years playing against some of the best players in the world can help when it comes to playing with Bermuda in the World Cup and in the preparations for it.?

And for those who think Hemp?s participation is just about waltzing into the Bermuda side just ahead of their finest hour, he says differently.

?There are sacrifices I?m having to make for this,? added Hemp, here until mid-December before meeting up with wife Angie and three-year-old son Cameron in South Africa for the festive season before returning for another stint early in Bermuda next year.

?For a start there is the time being spent away from my family, no easy thing with a young son. I am also having to put off taking my stage four coaching course for at least two years because of this.

?And I am in the process of negotiating a new contract with Glamorgan and I may have to work my Bermuda commitments into that, although the club are being very supportive at the moment.

?But it is all worth it because I am so keen to commit myself to Bermuda and Bermuda cricket for years to come.?