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Assistant national coach Clay Smith has thrown his hat in the ring for the top job admitting he would be interested in succeeding Gus Logie.

Former skipper Smith, who served as an assistant to Logie during the World Cup Qualifying Campaign in South Africa, said he would like to take charge of Bermuda one day.

And he will put himself forward now if the board opts for a local candidate.

"It really depends what the board have in mind. I think they will probably look overseas but if they are looking locally, then I'll put my hat in the ring."

Despite his own ambition Smith admits that an overseas coach may be a better way to go in the short term.

"We have coaches on the island that are capable of doing a respectable job but if you're talking about taking our country to another level then I always think an Aussie or a South African coach, with their background and professional approach to the game, would be a good choice.

"Personally, I wouldn't turn the job down if it was offered to me but I think the board will look overseas first."

Smith and Herbie Bascome, Logie's assistant for the bulk of his four-year reign, have been groomed as potential successors to the former West Indies coach.

Smith, who only quit playing in 2007, would be hampered by a relative lack of experience.

And his recent comments about the ICC, claiming they had conspired to stop Bermuda for the World Cup in his Royal Gazette column, put him at odds with the board.

The BCB hierarchy - who will ultimately be responsible for appointing a new coach - publically distanced themselves from his remarks with president Reggie Pearman saying he was 'surprised' and 'disappointed' by the comments.

Allan Douglas, a previous national coach for Bermuda, could be another potential candidate if the board decides to go local.

Pearman said yesterday that applications from all qualified candidates would be considered.

"We're still in the ICC High Performance programme so we are required to have a coach with certain qualifications and experience.

"It's an open application so we'll consider all qualified applicants locally and from overseas."

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