The axe may well be sharpened by the time Bermuda's senior national squad return home tomorrow with coach Gus Logie making it no secret changes to the team are now "inevitable" ahead of November's Intercontinental Cup assignments against Kenya and United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Nairobi and Sharjah.

Speaking shortly following his team's heaviest Intercontinental Cup defeat to date by an innings and 146 runs against cup holders Ireland in Dublin, Logie said: "It's a difficult thing. . . but I think that changes are inevitable. I think we need to accept and embrace that as part and parcel of development and growing and so we will be looking at other players at home.

"We are looking for younger guys who are fit because that is the type of opposition we are up against. If you are not fit enough they will run you ragged in the field and I think there is enough talent around that needs to be nurtured while our senior players are the ones who must pass on the knowledge."

Logie made it perfectly clear only dedicated individuals need apply, those keen to go the extra mile for their country. "I feel that if you are prepared to represent your country then you should also be prepared to do the best of your ability. Therefore a proper assessment and evaluation must be made on individual players who are willing to put themselves on the line to represent their country," he added.

"And at the end of the day players must realise what it means to represent one's country and also be in the limelight at the international level where certain standards and discipline must be maintained if you want to be respected.

"So a combination of things will have to be put in place to make sure that we have the best possible cricketers representing Bermuda. And it's quite evident that the club cricket in Bermuda is not at the same level as what we meet on the outside."

Logie also stressed the need for preparation during the gradual build-up to international commitments to improve if the island is to excel at that level.

"I think we need to prepare ourselves better before we leave on these tours and that means that players will have to make themselves available for training and be prepared to get themselves fit in order to perform," he said.

"You just cannot leave club cricket at home and come here and expect to excel. It just doesn't work and I think it's about time that we understand that. And at the end of the day it is up to the individuals themselves to make that big step up."

As for Bermuda's recently concluded tour of Europe, Logie acknowledged: "Obviously there were disappointments on tour - there's no two ways about that. But what we have seen on this tour is a lot of youngsters going through difficulties.

"However, their willingness to be here is something the Board will look favourably upon and hopefully we will be able to continue working along with them to help improve their cricket in leaps and bounds."

Skipper Irving Romaine achieved Bermuda's only century on tour, an unbeaten 103 against the Dutch in Holland, while opener Stephen Outerbridge hit successive half centuries (53 and 50) against Ireland in the Island's second Intercontinental Cup match in Dublin. Left arm spinner Dwayne Leverock proved consistent with both bat and ball.

"Leverock's batting came on in leaps and bounds while young Outerbridge would've learned from those two half centuries," Logie said.

"But if we haven't learned anything from this tour then it will only make life very difficult for us moving forward."