Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) president Reggie Pearman dropped a bombshell yesterday when he announced the sudden resignation of long-serving Board executive Gary Fray.

Fray had served on the BCB in various capacities for numerous years, climbing through the ranks to the position of first vice-president, which he held at the time of his resignation.

"Gary tendered his resignation because of personal reasons and naturally I was very unhappy and he will be missed by the Board as such," Pearman told The Royal Gazette.

"But I'm confident Gary will rise above this and do what he has to do.

"He's served many years on the Board and served us well. We attempted to keep him but I can understand his personal views that he has expressed and regretfully we have to accept them.

"Gary and I have been involved with clubs (Warwick Workman's Club and Somerset Cricket Club) and I know I can still count on his expertise even though he is gone because of the relationship we have established over the years.

"We have bonded and made things happen and that's what it's all about because we are only here volunteering our time for the love of the sport itself."

Fray is now the second BCB officer to resign in the last nine months following former secretary Marc Wetherhill's decision to quit. Wetherhill resigned last September after serving on the Board for four years.

During his tenure as BCB disciplinary chairman, Fray often came under heavy criticism and will perhaps be infamously remembered for the high-profile disciplinary cases of top cricketers Janeiro Tucker and Dion Stovell.

Fray came under heavy fire after his committee handed down a harsh four-month ban to Stovell for standing his ground after being given out while representing Bermuda at the youth level in Jamaica where he also served a one-match ban for his transgressions.

Fray was also subjected to enormous criticism for his handling of Tucker's disciplinary hearings late last year that were purposely delayed to allow the all-rounder to represent Bermuda in Kenya and Dubai.

Upon his return from national team duties the Southampton Rangers player/coach was given a six-match ban and had an appeal turned down which prompted BCB executive Randy Raynor to call for Fray's resignation.

When contacted yesterday, a clearly agitated Fray told The Royal Gazette, "I don't have to answer anything because you guys (media) have to understand that this is a personal thing and I'm not a politician.

"You have to stop getting into people's personal business."

Meanwhile, domestic cricket resumes this weekend with the BCB All Star Youth Matches, Central Counties and Cup Match trials taking centre stage today.

In the Central Counties, cup holders Young Men's Social Club put their title on the line against Police at Devonshire Recreation Club, Somerset and St.George's Cricket Club will be staging Cup Match trial matches at Wellington Oval and White Hill Field, while the National Sports Centre will host BCB All Star youth matches.

Tomorrow sees the second round of open cricket being played, with Bailey's Bay taking on St.George's at Sea Breeze Oval, Social Club have been pitted against Devonshire at Devonshire Rec., Western Stars host Southampton Rangers at St.John's Field and Willow Cuts and St.David's are set to do battle at Lords.

In First Division open cricket, Warwick take on Flatt's at Wellington Oval, Somerset are at home to Police, Leg Trappers meet Somerset Bridge at Police Field and PHC tackle Cleveland County at White Hill Field.