January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Dire straits
Bermuda must win and hope Afghanistan lose
Dire straits
Crockwell - left out for the first two games of the tournament - had an instant impact when he was brought into the side against Denmark and Kenya, scoring 36 and 45 in successive matches.
Now the 23-year-old wicketkeeper batsman is aiming to go one better as Bermuda look for the win that could see them through to the Super 8s.
"It was disappointing not to get to fifty in the last two games. I did the hard part and then gave my wicket away.
"I'm going to try to get the half-century tomorrow and if I do that I feel I can go on and get a hundred. I'm just trying to prove myself and put my name out there.
"I was disappointed not to be in the side at the start. It was frustrating to watch us lose and not be able to do anything about it.
"Coach explained the decision to me and I respected that. I kept my head up and said when I get my chance I will prove myself and make it impossible for them to drop me."
Crockwell has forged a gritty opening partnership with the inspirational David Hemp that set the platform for the win against Denmark on Saturday and again against Kenya on Monday.
Despite those displays Bermuda are staring down the barrel of an embarrassing early elimination from the competition. They must beat a highly fancied Dutch side today and hope that the UAE can defeat Afghanistan.
Bermuda did get a bit of good news in that respect as the ICC have banned Afghanistan bowler Karim Sadiq for that match for tripping a Netherlands player on Monday.
Any other combination of results and they will be eliminated, and lose their one-day-international status.
They would also lose their spot in ICC Division One, the World 20-20 qualifiers and their automatic right to compete in the four-day Intercontinental Cup tournament as well as thousands of dollars in funding.
Depending on the result of the 9th-12th place play-off they could even be relegated as far as the ICC Division Three meaning they would have gone from competing against the likes of India and Sri Lanka to facing Hong Kong, Papa New Guinea and Cayman Islands in the space of two years.
"We're playing for the future of Bermuda cricket," said Lionel Cann, who admitted he had been disappointed with his performances so far.
"Tomorrow is a big game for us. We must win to go through and if we don't then the matches after that are even more important. We could end up in Division Three and in a position where we have to play several tournaments just to qualify for this one."
Crockwell, who took over from Cann as opener on Saturday, said the whole squad was surprised and disappointed to find themselves in this position.
"I know this team can do much better," said the young PHC batsman, who is on his first competitive international tour.
"We came here to win this tournament but it ain't going that way. Everybody was feeling confident but that's the way it goes sometimes I suppose.
"I don't like to have to rely on other results. We need to be responsible for our own performances then we only have ourselves to blame.
"We have to win tomorrow. We have to take care of that. Whatever else happens, happens."
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