Brangman decided not to take up the role as the club's cricket coach.

The veteran Western Stars bowler, whose retired from playing at the end of last season, saw Warwick as the perfect opportunity to test the coaching waters. But the attendance was so poor at training that Brangman became discouraged.

"I was wasting my time, travelling from St. George's and when I get up there nobody comes training,'' said Brangman yesterday.

"I gave it two weeks and decided to knock it in the head. Guys told me that they always start training kind of late, just before the season starts, but that's not for me because if I have something set I want to start it right away.'' Warwick were one of the top teams in the 1980s when they won the league, but they have fallen on hard times over the last few years as their programme has faltered. Brangman saw it as a good challenge to try to revive the fortunes of the club, with some promising youngsters coming through.

"Things just didn't work out, I was looking forward to the challenge,'' said Brangman.

"I know I have the knowledge and the ability and I just wanted to instil what I know. The response was very poor, not one senior player showed up.'' As for playing again this season with Stars, Brangman replied: "I don't know, I'll see what happens. Right now I'm playing a lot of golf.'' Meanwhile, veteran allrounder Noel Gibbons has taken over the role of player-coach at Bailey's Bay, freeing up Charlie Marshall to concentrate more on his captaincy.

"I'm glad Noel is coming around and helping out as coach as it gives me a break,'' said Marshall who warmed up for the new season with a knock of 85 before retiring in a practice match against Cleveland on Sunday.

Because of early morning rain the match started at 12.30 and was reduced to 45 overs a side with Bay scoring 257-5 and Cleveland replying with just 130.

Irving Romaine, Stephen Outerbridge and Dennis Trott all scored in the 40s.

After last season's internal dispute which robbed the team of key players and spoiled their season, Bay are hoping to make an impression this season.

"I'm very impressed with the training sessions, the numbers have been excellent,'' said Marshall.

Jermaine Warner has joined the club from Willow Cuts, though they will be without their two wicketkeepers, Jason Anderson and Desmond Crockwell, as both are away in school. Irving Romaine will take over the job until one of them returns.

"The main thing right now is to make sure the guys stay focused, forget about last year and concentrate on the 2000 season,'' said the captain. "The talent is always going to be around Bailey's Bay Cricket Club. We have a good junior programme with a lot of talent moving through it.''