New Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) secretary Marc Wetherhill hopes the absence of some of the Island's top players this season will make room for untapped potential to shine.

One of the architects of the revised format - which reintroduced two-day matches last year - he noted that, with several big names likely to be involved in the ICC Trophy, there is plenty of opportunity for youngsters to grab the limelight.

This, added Wetherhill, can only benefit Bermuda further.

“I certainly hope to see young blood coming through. A lot of the names in the national squad have been there for quite a while; some up to ten years. We really are looking for youngsters to step up and make themselves known,” he said, yesterday following his uncontested election on Tuesday night to the post previously held by Charlotte (Molly) Simons.

“There are a few coming through the ranks already - Delyone Borden, Jekon Edness, Jacobi Robinson and others - but it would be nice to see some more players emerge this season.”

On the eve of the May 1 start to another year of bat-and-ball duels, Wetherhill expressed optimism that the two-tiered structure would gain greater momentum and interest following its 2004 trial.

“I had never played two-day cricket and I enjoyed it from that perspective. It was a completely different aspect of the game. I enjoyed the challenge,” said the LegTrappers player.

“As someone on BCB, I haven't had any negative feedback. It's all been positive and I think it's a significant platform for young players coming into the game and national-team players looking to master something other than the one-day format.”

Away from the pitch, Wetherhill - a lawyer at Partner Re specialising in corporate governance - said he would like to see “a better level of governance from a legalistic perspective in the BCB” and “greater transparency”.

“We want greater involvement from clubs. We need both the newly elected members of the executive and board to be more proactive and really bring things to the table.

“We want clubs to be proactive also and let us know their feelings on any matters whether they be related to cricket - the actual playing of cricket and the rules - or to the management of the Bermuda Cricket Board,” he elaborated.

“We want strong input from everyone involved in cricket and greater communication with clubs.”

The 32-year-old saluted his predecessor, Simons, for her sterling and tireless work as BCB secretary since 1998.

“I'd like to say Molly - Charlotte Simons - who I'm taking over from did an outstanding job and it's very big shoes to fill. Her devotion to the sport has been exemplary and she is well-connected in the game. It will be difficult to succeed her but I will try my very best.”

Wetherhill was among a number of persons elected to new positions at the BCB's annual general meeting held at Warwick Workmen's Club.

BCB chief executive Neil Speight explained the 2004 session was delayed because of various factors, including the Board's focus on bidding - albeit unsuccessfully - to host first-round matches in the 2007 Cricket World Cup as well as its hosting of the Americas Championship last summer.