Manders and Fray: We'll learn from T20 defeat

Tre Manders and Terryn Fray have declared themselves ready to take Bermuda cricket into a new era — but warned more focus and commitment is needed if the island is to return to a major finals.

Batsmen Manders, 18, and Fray, 22, were part of a squad still licking its wounds from a disappointing World T20 qualifying campaign in Dubai, which saw them finish 14th out of 16 sides, with the top six reaching the finals in Bangladesh next year.

Both Cup Match players admitted lessons were learned from taking on the top Associate nations in the Middle East where promising wins over Canada (warm-up), Scotland and Denmark were followed by painful defeats to the likes of Afghanistan, Nepal and the Netherlands.

Fray, who is based in Cardiff, Wales and played in just two games in the Qualifiers, believes emulating 2007 when Bermuda reached the 50-over World Cup is a realistic goal but was clear about the current team’s failings.

He told the Bermuda Sun: “I think a mix between tough opposition and overall lack of focus was the main reason we lost out because I believe that we were just as good as any of the teams in the competition. That showed when we played both Canada and Scotland. 

“Although we did not qualify I think we learned a lot about ourselves and we will be better mentally next time we play in a major tournament like this.”

He added: “I think we can reach a major finals in the near future but we really need to stay focused for longer durations of time, not just players but also the coaching and management staff, we all play a part in the team’s success and failures.”

For Manders, also based in the UK in Southampton, a 45 not out against Denmark was the highlight of his tournament and the chastening six straight defeats in the UAE has not dimmed the player’s hopes of achieving his ambitions with his country.

“I still have a strong belief in the national team and that we have what it takes to achieve great things,” he told the Sun.

“I think that going to Dubai for a serious tournament is a huge boost for me to give me experience on the international stage and I’m pretty sure I speak for all the young players on the team. 

“Even though we didn’t reach our goal, there were a lot of positives and negatives we can take from Dubai in order to improve  in the long run.” 

Full Q&A special with both players in Friday’s Bermuda Sun.