Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) yesterday moved to defend themselves in the wake of recent appalling performances by national teams and fought back against criticism levelled against them.

In their first official response to Bermuda's Stanford 20/20 meltdown, the Under-19s' abject showing against Nepal, and the national women's team's infamous 13 all out, the BCB have called for the public to lower expectancy levels and highlighted areas where they are succeeding.

The BCB statement said:

Further to recent events, the BCB want to clarify certain misleading statements contained in the media and attach an update and summary of BCB activities and programmes.

* The BCB have unqualified, clean audit opinions for the last five years and file their financial statements on a timely basis with the Registry General.

* The BCB published an annual report of their 2006 activities, programmes, results and financial statements that have been widely distributed.

* The BCB regularly report to the Minister of Sport on their programmes, outcomes and their financial statements. The grant draw-downs are also reviewed by the Ministry of Finance.

* Bermuda is a country with an available population of less than 50,000 and have three national sides in the top 16 in the world.

* Bermuda are the ICC Americas Regional Under-19 and senior champions.

* Bermuda Under-15s have lost only one game in six years.

* Bermuda youth leagues have expanded from 200 players in 2004 to 975 in 2007.

* BCB and Ministry of Education work together to ensure every school plays cricket in an organised, safe and fun manner.

* The ICC have declared Bermuda the big winner of the development awards, taking three of eight awards on offer.

* Bermuda have once again won the ICC Best Overall Development Programme for the second time in three years.

* Cricket infrastructure continues to improve with clubs receiving pitch covers, bowling machines, artificial surfaces and cricket nets.

* Shelley Bay field has been re-laid in a joint project between the Ministry of Sports and the BCB.

BCB president Reggie Pearman also noted: "I would like to take this opportunity to remind the public that for Bermuda to qualify is a great achievement, expectations of success against professional teams should be limited.

"I urge the country to give their national teams the support they deserve for their accomplishments and endeavours. Whether the teams win, lose or draw they will return as better cricketers and more experienced individuals.

"For those teams that are competing against world class opposition, they will have a unique opportunity to learn and develop from the tournament. I support their efforts wholeheartedly and wish them all the best in the upcoming games as they give their best to represent Bermuda to the best of their ability."

Sports Editor's note: The Royal Gazette challenges the BCB to identify which "misleading statements" have been published or broadcast by local media regarding the Board's activities.