Despite going winless on their World Cup debut, Bermuda skipper Irving Romaine was all smiles at the post match press conference at Queen’s Park Oval yesterday.

Romaine applauded his team’s performances and thanked his team’s loyal followers for their unwavering support throughout.

But as for yesterday’s seven-wicket loss to Bangladesh, he conceded that defending a paltry total of 94 against quality opposition was never going to be an easy task.

“It is always hard playing cricket in these kinds of conditions, and I think the rain messed up a good game today. We really wanted to put up a good challenge, but I think the guys played very hard,” Romaine said.

“Overall this was an experience Bermuda had to enjoy, and I think the flavour that we brought to this World Cup was good. I am very proud of my players, our fans and also proud of the things we did achieve at this World Cup.

“We always knew that we had to play well and catch one of our opponents off guard in order to have any success. But we tried our hardest, although it is sad that our batting never really fired. But we played with everything we had today and left it all on the field.”

Yesterday’s result bundled pre-tournament favourites India out of the competition. But when asked by a reporter from the Indian press whether Bermuda should apologise to the Indians, Romaine replied: “I don’t think we have to apologise to India because I think they did it to themselves. With the quality team India have they shouldn’t be relying on Bermuda.”

He also defended his team’s selectors for their decision to drop young pacer Malachi Jones in favour of the more seasoned Saleem Mukuddem who accounted for all three Bangladesh wickets that fell.

“We changed the team around a couple of times and I do feel sorry for Kelly who didn’t get to play. We also left out Malachi (Jones) to bring in Saleem (Mukuddem) who bowled extremely well. So that plan actually worked,” Romaine said.

“But I hope the younger players stay hungry because in four years’ time I’m confident we will be back in the World Cup.”

Romaine laid the blame on his team’s low total for the several rain interruptions that upset his batsmen’s momentum at the crease, and admitted that yielding costly extras in the field ultimately came back to haunt his team.

“At one point of the match I think half of their (Bangladesh) total was in extras. There were some wides and no balls, but I think our bowlers did their best under the circumstances. And I really can’t ask anymore than that,” he said.

And dropped catches, he added, didn’t do his team’s cause any good either.

“We had to attack and if we had taken those catches who knows what could’ve happened. But in these circumstances it’s always easier batting second because you can pace yourself,” he said.

“We dropped a few, but overall I thought our fielding was excellent today. But you must take your hat off to Bangladesh because they played good cricket and deserve to be in the Super Eight.” Mukuddem, meanwhile, repaid the selectors for their decision to include him in the line-up in place of young Jones. The South African born all-rounder sat out Bermuda’s match against India through suspension.

“I think the guys really tried their best today to make Bermuda proud. But it was always going to be hard defending a low total if we didn’t take wickets at regular intervals and continually apply pressure,” he said.

Mukuddem led Bermuda’s attack with outstanding figures of three for 19 off his allotted five overs to take his overall World Cup tally to five in two appearances.

“Early wickets did put the cat among the pigeons and gave us belief, but in the end we just gave away too many extras. A large percentage of their score we gave away in extras,” he said.

“We just needed to tighten up a bit. But the boys still showed a lot of fight and spirit today. I think the guys played with their hearts on their shirts and showed that we do have passion.”