GLENN Blakeney has long been considered one of Bermuda's most talented batsmen.

At his imperial best, he can destroy any team's bowling attack as he's shown in both league and cup competitions. And in the 1990s he displayed that same form during a stint in England.

Yet despite this abundance of natural talent, for many years he hasn't made playing for his country a priority.

During the qualification tournament that ensured Bermuda's historic appearance in the World Cup and in the lead-up to that showpiece tournament in the Caribbean in 2006, the Bailey's Bay batsman was nowhere to be seen.

Oddly, for a player who had made cricket a huge part of his life, he preferred to watch from the sidelines, although providing he met training requirements, national coach Gus Logie might have considered boosting his sometimes fragile lower order with such a prolific scorer.

Despite the World Cup misery and the IOD disappointment that has followed, Blakeney has shown little inclination to wear his country's colours.

Now suddenly, at the 'ripe old age' of 35, he's had a change of mind and with Logie desperate to add experience to what is a largely, untried squad with plenty of youngsters still learning the trade, he's back in the reckoning.

And according to all reports he's training hard and showing unprecedented enthusiasm.

Blakeney at his best can cope with any bowler representing the Associate nations – the same countries who will stand in Bermuda's way as they attempt to qualifying for the next World Cup in Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

His 'u-turn' should be applauded.

But suddenly, and rather oddly, Bermuda Cricket Board promoted Blakeney to their High Performance Programme on the eve of this week's Americas Championship in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Cynics could point out that this promotion coincided with his father, Glenn Blakeney Sr's appointment as Sports Minister.

Although he has much to offer, Blakeney is now in the twilight of his career.

And in the BCB's own words, the HPP was created to "fully prepare younger, emerging" cricketers.

Those in that programme are paid to play and required to attend overseas cricket academies. A group recently returned from Australia.

Why, it might be asked, has someone who in the past has repeatedly shunned opportunities to help the national squad, been afforded the privilege of HPP status so quickly.

Injury sustained in training this week prevented him from playing in the first two Americas games, which Bermuda, without his presence, won comfortably.

Might it not have been prudent for the Board to wait until Blakeney had proved himself at the international level before offering the kind of status which others who have shown more commitment have been denied.

Wonder what our new Sports Minister has to say? Perhaps he's the one who convinced his son it was a case of 'now or never' if he wanted to realise his undeniable potenial on the international stage.

The pressure's on.

If he doesn't perform as expected, there will be critics who will contend that he should never have been given a second chance, having dismissed earlier opportunities to help his country. The emphasis, they'll say, should continue to be placed on the young guns.

If the left-handed master blaster plays like we know he can, all will be forgiven. But he's got plenty to prove.

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IN a different sport, another of Bermuda's top athletes, Michael Sims, also has something to prove next week – although only to himself.

In recent years he's been considered the Island's number one golfer, but with his 30th birthday just around the corner, his appearance at the daunting six-round final stage of PGA Tour qualifying school could be a watershed in his roller-coaster career.

Two years ago he reached the same stage, earning a right to play on the Nationwide Tour, competing against some of golf's top pros. But after just one season on that Tour he failed to retain his card.

Now he's got another chance, not only to regain his Nationwide card but to make a dream come true by playing his way onto the PGA Tour where he would rub shoulders with the likes of Tiger Woods et al.

In recent weeks he's shown impressive form which should have instilled the kind of confidence needed to meet the enormous challenge that lies ahead.

We wish him well. He can be assured much of Bermuda will be following his progress during a marathon 108 holes – every one of them key to his career.

- ADRIAN ROBSON