Dear Sir,

2008 is a very important year for Bermuda cricket. There is the Under-19 World Cup in February and it is the last chance we really have to prepare for the all important ICC competition in 2009.

Reggie Pearman and the Bermuda Cricket Board must find a proper year-round field that is totally devoted to cricket on which our national team can prepare. We are all aware of the problems with the pitch at the NSC, which do not look like they are going to be resolved any time soon.

Further it has already been made clear by the chairman of the NSC trustees Dr. Gerard Bean that the northern field at the NSC is a multi-purpose facility which is not meant for cricket alone. Therefore the sooner the BCB look to secure a field to train on the better.

I believe Lords, St. David's is the answer. It is a government field, has a first class groundsman in Mr. 'Shot' Carlington and is probably the most scenic cricket ground in the entire western hemisphere. Incidentally it was also slated to be an alternative field to the NSC if Bermuda's bid to host a World Cup game had been successful.

On another note I believe Bermuda's best hope of qualifying for the World Cup in 2009 lies with the young players. We must invest in them and focus on helping them to raise their standards. To this end I would like to make a couple of suggestions: The Bermuda Cricket Board in conjunction with the Department of Youth and Sports establish six cricket internships, which would see six of our most talented cricketers under the age of 21 spend the summer in England playing 'League' cricket. They would be paid just as any other summer student working for government. Their programme would range from assisting the local groundsman to actually playing for their club side.

Arrange for an 18-man Bermuda squad made up of players primarily under the age of 25 to go on an extensive tour of England or the West Indies some time next season.

Invite the United Arab Emirates and Namibia to the island to compete in a round robin 50-over triangular competition next season. Matches could be held at Lords, White Hill Field and Somerset Cricket Club.

Recman