Local cricketers need more than the odd trip abroad or a rare photograph in the newspaper on Monday mornings in order to be totally committed to a prolonged national programme, according to Bailey's Bay skipper Corey Hill.

Inspired to speak out after reading Noel Gibbons' criticism of national squad players who made late withdrawals from the team that participated in the Americas Cup tournament in Argentina, Hill said it was wrong for the veteran cricketer and Bermuda Cricket Board of Control selector to lay the entire blame on the players.

"What we must remember is that cricket really doesn't offer anything to the players other than a trip abroad every four years or it enables them have a picture in the newspaper on Mondays, so it's always going to be difficult to convince players to commit,'' he said.

According to Hill, the time has come for people to think of the present and forget about the past because so many things are different these days.

He said that not only applies to life, but it also applies to sport, both at a club and international level here on the Island.

"It's time that people let go off the past and the way things used to be or we will always be playing catch-up," he said. "All the teams that we used to compete with have left us behind, but not because of our ability as players it's because of our inability to market the game for the last 20 years.

"We must admit that we are asking the players to give a commitment to training two to three times a week during week days, not to mention their involvement in matches on weekends.

"In today's world people are more concerned about securing their future rather than playing cricket and just getting a thank you at the end, and sometimes not even that.''

Hill indicated that he would stand firm behind his players when it came to them deciding between a family or job commitment and playing for Bailey's Bay, regardless of the importance of the game.

He felt that more young players should concentrate on prioritising things, especially when it affects their life.

"There is no doubt about it, if any of my players come to me and say `hey skip, I need to work this weekend' I will not only understand but I will encourage them to work because I know the struggle that most young people are faced with," he said.

"I would rather see someone secure their family than commit to something that has no benefits ... until players are properly compensated for time lost committing to sports we will always have a problem in this country.''