El James has lashed out at the local and international media for their recent criticism of the current state of Bermuda cricket.

In a prepared statement, the Sports Minister read: "W.G. Grace, the famous cricketer who played the game well over 100 years ago once said, 'Never read print, it spoils one's eyes for the ball'. Considering what has been printed in the local and international media during the past few months, Bermuda's cricketers, our senior men's team, women's team and Under 19 team would do well to heed such advice."

Last week Bermuda cricket grabbed the headlines for all the right reasons when the Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) received the ICC's 2007 Best Overall Cricket Development Program and Best Photo of the Year (taken by Islandstats.com). The BCB also scooped a third award for the 'Best Spirit of Cricket' in partnership with UNAIDS and UNICEF.

James also gave the BCB's various development programs a ringing endorsement before throwing his full support behind all of the Island's national teams.

"We support you, we believe in you and we believe you can win and we will be doing everything we can to help you succeed," he said.

Meanwhile, BCB president Reggie Pearman hailed the achievements of his administration over the past year and challenged them to strive for greater heights this year.

"It's a multi-faceted group that worked together; not only with the players, but also the parents and everyone else who have enabled us to achieve this award (Best Overall Cricket Development Program)," he said. "The winner of this award has to be an outstanding cricket body with an excellent national cricket structure that caters to senior and junior players, both male and female."

Last year saw Bermuda compete at its first ICC World Cup while the Island's Under 19 national squad won the Americas Regional Under 19 Championships to qualify for this year's Under 19 World Cup in Malaysia.

Pearman said he was also proud of the Board's burgeoning youth leagues.

"Over 1,000 children now play competitive cricket compared to 300 in 2005 and now 2,000 children are being exposed to cricket in our schools. This is an historic achievement for Bermuda cricket and the BCB," he said.

"The Board's efforts have not only been recognised at the regional level, but we now know that our development programme is the best in the world. Each of our strategic goals has been advanced - in particular one of our goals to be recognised as the international model for best practices amongst Associate members of the ICC. These results validate our progress to date.

"Yes, we are going to have our ups and downs and differences. But I think it all augurs well in the long run when we are able to achieve something like we have this year - being the best development country in the entire cricketing world."