legend back on Island By Colin Zuill and Lawrence Trott Legendary cricketer Clarence (Tuppence) Parfitt is back on the Island on vacation...and officials of Bermuda Cricket Board of Control insist his trip is not connected with their ongoing search for a national coach.

But sources say it's interesting that the long-time Scotland resident's return for the first time in four years has come within days of Board president El James announcing that the appointment of a new coach is considered `high priority'.

Under the previous administration, Parfitt -- the most successful bowler in Cup Match history and believed by many to be Bermuda's best ever -- was linked with a national coaching position. And he has always maintained he would consider returning from Scotland if the offer was right.

"I can't rule out anything, but I'm just here on vacation,'' said Parfitt, who is currently the Cricket Development Officer for the North of Scotland and also a Scotland selector.

Both James and BCBC secretary Charlotte Simons assured that the board had not held any discussions with Parfitt about the post, or anybody else for that matter, though they welcomed his presence.

Parfitt dropped by the board office yesterday to `touch base' but neither official was present.

"Yes, we need a coach, we want one as soon as possible, but we haven't brought Parfitt here,'' James stressed.

"Before holding any discussions with anybody about such a position we are putting some things that are necessary into place.

"We have to consider all of Bermuda's coaching requirements, what role we want a coach to play. We need to come up with the necessary job description for the post holder, taking into consideration a salary that would be most appropriate and all of the mechanics related to the position, so it's a lot for us to still work out.'' Parfitt, meanwhile, indicated he was happy with his current position in Scotland.

"My job is to develop everything throughout the whole north of Scotland. Our squad is in training for next year already. There is still plenty of development to do all year round, it's not just a six-month thing,'' he said.

The current Scotland captain, George Salmond, was guided through the junior ranks by Parfitt after the coach returned to Scotland in 1984. Salmond went on to lead his country in this year's World Cup.

"He is one of the youngsters that I brought on and throughout the set-up we've got a senior team, a second team, under-19s, under-17s, under-15s, under-13s, under-12s and we've got about 30 players from my area in the national squads,'' added Parfitt.

"We've got great junior cricket going on throughout Scotland right now.'' While emphasising that Parfitt's return was mere coincidence, James didn't rule out having talks about cricketing matters during his stay.

Parfitt, who remains the bowler with the most wickets in Cup Match with a haul of 115 from 1965 to 1981, was last approached by the board back in the summer of '97 and asked whether he might be interested in becoming national coach.

James admitted to having called him by telephone to make inquiries, making no offer but only asking Parfitt to give the idea some thought should a proposal be made. The board, however, didn't follow up that conversation and attempts to fill the post were never discussed at executive level.

Parfitt later indicated that he probably would have turned it down at the time because his family weren't in favour of moving from Scotland.

Parfitt, who retired from competitive cricket in Scotland in 1993 when he ended a successful campaign with Arbroath Cricket Club, last played in Bermuda in 1995 when he was honoured during the first annual cricket testimonial game at Lord's.

A holder of many bowling records in both Bermuda and Scotland, he achieved the rare feat of taking all 10 opposing wickets on three occasions, twice in Bermuda and once in Scotland.

In the mid-60s he snatched 10 for 16 against Somerset Bridge while playing for St. George's in a First Division game and then took 10 for 43 in a benefit game and 10 for 44 in a league game in Scotland.

Parfitt is dominant in the Cup Match averages, with three of the four best bowling figures ever achieved. His 9-47 in 1976 remains the best single innings figures in Cup Match while he also claimed 8-23 and 8-38 in 1965 and '70.

In his colt year he followed up eight wickets in the first innings with seven for 20 in the second. His 598.5 overs in Cup Match remain a record.

Clarence Parfitt: The former Cup Match star, now living in Scotland, is expected to have talks with Bermuda Cricket Board of Control about the vacant post of national coach.