Jacobi Robinson?s decision to back away from a four -month playing stint in Scotland with Strathmore Cricket Club has left legendary bowler Clarence Parfitt completely stumped.

Robinson, originally due to arrive in the UK late last month, confirmed yesterday that he had declined the offer due to various personal commitments and will instead remain with local club side Somerset Cricket Club this summer.

Yet when contacted yesterday, a perplexed Parfitt told ?He (Robinson) hasn?t told me anything . . . but at least I can now inform the club (Strathmore) and they can go and find someone else.?

Robinson?s lack of communication and eventual decision, Parfitt added, could leave a bad impression in the UK and hinder future generations of Bermudian cricketers coming over.

Parfitt, vice -president at Arbroath Cricket Club and Scotland?s Under 15 national coach, also made it clear he will no longer stick his head out on the chopping block or place his hard-earned reputation on the line for those unwilling to make necessary sacrifices and commitments.

?They will have to try and come over by themselves because I will not try to help them,? he vowed. ?I am very disappointed because he (Robinson) asked to come and was given the opportunity.?

Robinson, who completed cricket studies in South Africa and made his Cup Match debut for Somerset in 2004, hit back, stating: ?I can?t just drop all of my responsibilities and leave the Island to go overseas to play cricket without any income.?

And although the Somerset allrounder admitted he had not properly notified Strathmore officials about his final decision, Robinson claimed he informed Parfitt that he will not be making the trip north this summer.

Still, Parfitt insists Robinson should have taken more things into consideration first.

?He should have thought about those things way before even considering coming over here,? added Parfitt, who claimed 115 wickets representing St.George?s in Cup Match from 1965 to 1981.

?But if that?s the way he wants to do it . . . . then that?s his loss and we just have to leave it like that and get on with things.?

Parfitt?s former St.George?s Cup Match team-mate, Noel Gibbons ? arguably Bermuda?s best ever all rounder ? agreed.

He said: ?It?s a tremendous loss passing up an opportunity to play cricket or Scotland or in England where the only thing you can do as a player is improve.

?This young man (Robinson) has a bundle of talent but it just seems he doesn?t like to work hard. And if he thinks everything is just going to fall in his lap, then that?s just not going to happen.?

Only earlier this year Robinson was dropped from the senior national squad after a disastrous tour of Dubai.

?By rights Jacobi has enough talent whereas he should be in England right now with the national team,? added Gibbons, the first batsman to score over 1,000 runs in the Eastern Counties.

?I?ve actually spoken to Jacobi maybe on one or two occasions about cricket in general, and he definitely has the potential to become a good player.

?But he is not a good player yet and going to places like Scotland or England is only going to benefit his cricket.?

Robinson, meanwhile, insisted: ?I really, really wanted to go. . . but I just think I needed more time to prepare before I went over there. It was just too short of a notice for me to jump up and leave.?

Had Robinson joined ranks at Strathmore, he would have become the second Somerset all rounder since the late Nigel (Chopper) Hazel to represent the Scottish club.

The late Hazel?s son, Nigel jr, currently opens the team?s batting.