Former national team star batsman and current assistant coach Wendell Smith says he hopes Bermuda?s stunning success in Ireland will finally silence the cynics who had written the side off before a match had even been played.

Smith, who worked with the national squad in between the departure of coach Mark Harper and arrival of Gus Logie, and has continued to assist Logie both prior to and during the ICC Trophy, said there were many on the Island who believed the team didn?t have a hope of qualifying for the World Cup.

?I wonder just how many people in Bermuda honestly didn?t think we had a prayer,? said Smith.

?I?m sure some folks back home probably thought we wouldn?t even win a game.

?But the truth is we finished second in the group and could have done even better. (Because of the rain-out) we didn?t even get to play Uganda, who were one of the weakest teams.

?I kept thinking of the Miracle on Ice when the US Olympic ice hockey team beat the powerful Russians. It shows you what hard work can do. This is our miracle.?

Bermuda face unbeaten Scotland, who topped their group with five straight victories, in the semi-finals at The Hills ground just north of Dublin today with the winners going on to meet the winners of the other semi-final between Ireland and Canada in the final next Wednesday.

And Smith says that while a World Cup place has been already secured there?s no reason the team can?t continue their winning ways.

?Why not?? he asked. ?It?s not over yet, we can go on and win this whole thing. The guys are confident, they believe in themselves and they believe in their coach.?

But should the team be eliminated today, there?ll be no regrets.

?This is just a dream come true,? added Smith. ?I?m happy for the country because we?ve waited so long.

?In 1982 as a player I went to England, we came second but only one team went to the World Cup. I remember in 1994 we placed fourth and three teams qualified. Again we were so close.

?The difference with these guys is that they really are a team, a group who are really committed to train. They work hard, they fight for each other.

?I think we?ve all seen the camaraderie and the team work during this tournament ? no superstars, everybody has had a role to play and they have a wonderful, fantastic coach (Logie) who they all believe in and trust.

?It?s also wonderful for the country. Cricket gets $500,000 (from the International Cricket Council), so imagine what that?s going to do for our development.

?I know Reggie Pearman (Bermuda Cricket Board president) must be one happy person. Personally, I?m elated.

?And what a way to finish with that spectacular diving catch by Albert Steede (that dismissed the last USA batsman) . . . what a great total team effort.

?Dean Minors took four catches, he?s taken so many ? to me he was the wicketkeeper of the tournament; Lionel Cann chipped in with those marvellous innings (against UAE and Denmark), Saleem Mukuddem was really tidy, Ryan Steede did a great job . . . everybody in the team seemed to play a part.

?I?m just delighted for everyone in the squad. They deserve it.?