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Bermuda cricket is in crisis right now, as the results, so far on this tour have shown.

But don't point the finger at the guys who are out here in Europe. Look to the guys who aren't here.

We have heard lots of different reasons why guys couldn't play but the bottom line is they are not putting their country first.

I miss my family, I'm upset because my club side St. David's lost at the weekend without me, but I put my country first.

The best cricketers in Bermuda would just about hang in there with teams like Denmark and Holland, but when we don't even have our best guys what chance do we have?

I know the employers would have let them have the time off if they had really wanted to play.

We're not on contracts any more after the World Cup, but pride in your country should be enough.

Some of the guys that are not here are just making excuses and you have to ask - are they committed to their country or to themselves?

Those guys have to battle through the tough times. Just because you're not winning, you don't want to be a part of the situation? Come on, be a part of the solution, not part of the problem.

If you're good enough, if you are the best in your country then put yourself forward.

I really believe our full strength squad would have beaten Denmark and would be doing a lot better against Holland right now.

We were bowled out for 180 on Monday. Last time we played them in a four-day game we scored more than 600.

Coach can only do so much. Half the guys on this tour haven't played international cricket before, so it's like starting the whole process all over again - except with less talented players. I feel sorry for the guys that are here because they have been thrown right into it at the deep end.

After all the travelling we did in the run up to World Cup I can see why guys would say they want to spend more time with their families.

But sacrifices have to be made. I don't like being away from my family. I'd rather be with my children right now. I miss them every single moment.

But at the same time I'm one of the best players in Bermuda and to me, it is mandatory that I represent my country.

I make no excuses for people who don't put their country first.

I believe Bermuda cricket is in a crisis and we are going to be in it for a few years yet.

We're paying the price for the neglect of youth cricket. With the money that has now come in, through qualifying for the World Cup, things are looking up. The under-19 team is doing well and the youth leagues are back, but it's going to take time for that to have a knock-on effect on the national team. You can't expect it to happen over night.

Disappointing so far

Even though we are under strength and had nine new players in the squad since the World Cup, I was still disappointed with the performances we have put in so far.

Denmark was always going to be hard. For some of the players it was their first time playing in conditions where the ball was swinging around and it was a big struggle. Luckily they were friendly matches.

I'm particularly disappointed with the way we have batted so far on this tour.

Personally I'm trying to spend more time at the wicket. I feel like I'm in good nick, but the big scores aren't coming at the moment.

As a team we have to learn to see-off the new ball. It's been a problem for Bermuda for years. We can't seem to get a good start.

Once the swing goes, these are pretty good wickets to bat on, but so far the early order bats haven't been able to get us through the first ten overs.

We found ourselves at 39 for 6 on Thursday last week and in the next game we were 16 for 4. We haven't done any better in the four-day game this week either.

There have been a couple of good performances from the boys.

Jekon Edness is looking good. You can see the improvement in his technique, from being at the academy in Cardiff, and I think a big score is around the corner for him.

James Celestine had a good innings (78) against Denmark and I believe he's a player who can do well at this level.

It was also nice to see the skipper, Irving Romaine, return to form after a lean spell. He scored a classy hundred on Monday.

Class players

Playing against Denmark and Holland and seeing some of the players they have just makes you realize the advantage of having guys in the county system.

The Danish captain Kloker scored a lot of runs against us (43 and 67*). He just came off a trial with Warwickshire. He spent a season there and he didn't quite make it. But you could see what class he does have.

Holland don't have Ryan ten Doeschate, the Essex batsman playing for them, but even the guy Alexei Kervezee looks an amazing talent.

He's 17 and he already has a contract with Worcestershire. He has an amazing technique, you feel like you are never going to get him out.

Then they have players like Bas Zuiderent who had played county. You can see the difference with those guys. A player who does it for a living is always going to be better than a part timer.

It would be a huge boost for Bermuda to have one or two guys playing at that level.

It's about getting them to the right academies and I think we are on the right track with guys like Stephen (Outerbridge) and Jekon (Edness) on BCB scholarships. We have to get them over there at an early age.[[In-content Ad]]

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