Dear Passionate Cricket Lover,

Let me start by saying that I am glad to see that there are still people out there that are truly passionate about Bermuda cricket. That is one thing that we do have in common, is the need for us to qualify for the next World Cup.

Obviously I can tell that you are a Lionel Cann fan, which I think is great. I actually am a fan of him myself. He definitely is one of Bermuda's most exciting batsmen.

I must say that my article is not about if Lionel or myself is better at being captain. That will always be a personal opinion for everyone who is involved. This is my first letter to the Sports Mailbox, and it is my first letter ever to talk about how it is to lead the Bermuda National Squad.

If you do know me, you are probably surprised that I am replying in public to a sports column. Since I have been under a gag order for the time that I have been skipper, a lot of stuff has been said about myself, and the programme that is far from the truth!

First of all I am a captain that has earned respect. I am not a person whom blows his own horn and then demands it. Every tour a captain is chosen. I do not have a contract that runs for a period of time or anything like that. I train to make the squad just like every other player that is up for selection.

Just so happens that I have a 100% training attendance record as well as putting in my extras. I suppose that is a bonus in the selectors' eyes.

I don't use excuses, and don't believe in them. If you want I can publicize the attendance records over the last couple tours and expose players, but that may surprise more people than needed. The training situation leads right into an explanation about being a motivator. If a player can't motivate himself to come to training on the required days, it is sign that he is there for a free ride and does not truly have his country at heart.

Game after game I sit in a changing room opposite some of Bermudas best players. As captain I know who has put in the work and is ready for battle, and the ones that just want the prestige of saying,"I play for the National Squad." Do you know how hard it is to keep a boat straight when one side is rowing as a team, and the other side is a bunch of individuals who want to do what they want? The sad part of this is that we as a country are judged by performance, which causes selectors to pick people on their name rather than on heart , determination, and commitment.

I am also going to reply on the statement about my Bachelors Degree. Please don't hate me because I have seized the opportunity to further my education. As captain I stress to all of my players the importance of an education (Maybe you should ask a few ). Did you know that there are at least six players who have been in and out of the squad that have dropped out of High School?

So is it really so bad to have a leader than can be a role model to his players as well. We must all remember that there is life after cricket. I have seen too many players hailed as the greatest when they are wearing their whites, and than dogged out when people find out their true profession. Every profession is needed to make the world go around, so I always stress to be all that you can be! Remember with a good paying job you can concentrate on playing cricket instead of worrying about how much you will get paid for playing. With the scholarships that the BCB has to offer, I challenge all of the players to study hard and make the best of these opportunities. I must say that I have learned a great deal while I have been captain.

For the current team now, the captain is not the person who is the best player, but the person whom can mold and guide a great bunch of new talented players! It's amazing to see and hear the passion that these young players have. So Passionate Cricket Lover, I believe that Bermuda cricket is in safe hands for the future.

Oh! As for my form, I will be the first to say that I did not have a great season at all. Yes this was the first international season in three years that I haven't scored a first class century. I apologize publicly for that. Now I think you better ask the other current and former players for some of your tax money since they have never scored any!

Thanks for the opportunity to express a little bit about the challenges of being Bermuda's skipper. Trust me this doesn't even scratch the surface of what I have to deal with on a daily basis.

Your smiling Captian,

Irving Romaine