get to within one match of the World Cup.

But while 1982 skipper Colin Blades is preferring to hold off on judging the most recent disappointment in Kenya, Gladstone (Sad) Brown, who led the 1979 challenge, was more vocal.

Brown was most concerned with the "tactical aspect and basic team approach'' and also stated that Albert Steede may not have been the right man to lead the country.

It was Brown's side who lost to Canada in the 1979 semifinal after being in a good position. Then, the two finalists reached the World Cup.

The following tournament, Bermuda reached the final under Blades, but were beaten by five wickets by Zimbabwe, the first of their three consecutive triumphs.

"It was disappointing that the guys didn't go all the way,'' said Brown.

"Not being there I can only summise what was going on by the reports that came back.

"I think we had some serious bowling problems. For one, Terry Burgess is not the best person to be bowling the last overs if someone is looking for runs.'' Bermuda started superbly in the tournament, reeling off six straight victories before disaster struck against eventual champions United Arab Emirates.

Bermuda made 329 for nine in their 50 overs but were beaten with two balls remaining by a resourceful UAE side.

What followed were 65 and 103-run defeats to Kenya and Holland in the semifinal and third-place play-off with both teams scoring in excess of 300 runs.

Brown added: "When you reach that level, unless you have a very experienced side -- and we had that in 1979 and '82 -- it takes much more planning. You have to scout to know the weaknesses and strengths of opponents.

"We said that this was the best prepared team for an ICC tournament but there was still a lot of work left undone.'' The squad and their management team have maintained silence since returning last week. But another former player Allan Douglas, who played in three tournaments and captained the national team for two years after the squad returned from Holland in 1990, has gone on record as saying that not having a coach hurt when the going got tough.

Blades said: "I think it's over and until I see something from the management or the team I am in no position to criticise,'' said Blades, who assisted during the latter stages of preparation. "It's so easy to be wise after the fact.'' Blades can vividly remember the anguish he felt after losing in the 1982 final.

"It took me quite a time to get over that loss,'' he said. "There were nights when you are awake wondering, `What did I do wrong, what could I have done to make it right.

"It is no fun to finish second, third or fourth when you are just one place away. That '82 match took a toll on me.'' With that in mind he added that it would be prudent for the public to be considerate before judging the '94 team.

"It's so easy to lose these one-day games. All it takes is one dropped catch, one bad decision or bowling someone for one over too many. I think they did the best they could. It's easy for people to say we have to lift our game but others were lifting their games too. The reward (of going to the World Cup) was so high.'' Blades and Brown were different in their approach as captains, however slightly, and in this case they differ as well with the latter holding little back.

"It calls for guys who have been there before to select the right blend of players to do the job,'' Brown said. "I think we missed out on a golden opportunity. We really needed a coach. In this day and age you don't play without a coach. That has been the downfall of the board for a long time and I think putting an untried captain at the helm was also a mistake.

"I think in time Albert will be a good captain but he was too young (25) for the task when you had others around with more experience.

"Coming to the final hurdle we experienced bowling problems and didn't do anything different. We utilised the same five or six bowlers when there were other options.

"Technically, we need to do a lot of work.'' GLADSTONE (SAD) BROWN -- `In this day and age you don't play without a coach.'