---

In the wake of the island's humiliating whitewash at the hands of Kenya in the recently concluded three One-Day International matches Bermudians everywhere appear to be venting their anger at the team's disappointing performance. In fact, last Thursday's radio talk programme, 'The people's Show, was dominated by irate callers who with a considerable amount of 'encouragement' from host Everest DaCosta castigated the team mercilessly.

But does the team deserve this? In Monday's Royal Gazette assistant national coach Herbie Bascome called on the public to be patient and accept that success won't come overnight.

Bascome attributed the team's lacklustre performance to African culture shock as well as fall-out from protracted contract negotiations.

Bascome went on to say that he believes the team should be given credit for qualifying for the World Cup in the first place considering the size of our population and the fact that we only have 25 to 30 players to choose from.

While I understand what Herbie is saying I believe he is missing the point.

I do not believe the criticism heaped upon the team emanates from the fact that they lost those games but rather most local fans believe that many of the players are not fully committed or making a real effort.

This is evidenced by continual criticism regarding the condition of some of our players by the international media.

Last week Cricinfo's managing editor Michael Williamson referred to several members of our team as carrying "excess baggage", and, as I recall, during the televised Stanford 20/20 game against Jamaica in Antigua in July, commentators Tony Cozier, Jeffrey Dujon and Ian Bishop also alluded to the fact that our players were carrying too much weight. At one point someone compared a couple of our players rather disparagingly to "rollers".Bermuda's fans are not blind, with the money being pumped into this team they expect - no demand - that our national players be at the very least in good physical condition.

I do not think they are being unreasonable here, while most understand that success will not come overnight and can accept a loss what many refuse to countenance is a group of cricketers who are not committed to getting into proper shape.

There is one statement that Bascome made, which I must confess deeply disturbs me. He says in the article that 'when you look at it on a wide scale, Bermuda's got about 25 to 30 players to choose from'.

I can recall selector Albert Steede in the past making a similar remark and quite frankly, I don't buy into this 'elitist' propaganda.

In fact I believe this is the very reason our current team has been complacent in their preparations. They haven't really been challenged for their World Cup spots. Bermuda has an abundance of talented cricketers and if they were given a fair chance we would not be in the position we are in now.

Why for instance wasn't an A team put into place at the beginning of the cricket season? Such a squad would have kept the pressure on the senior team to perform and been available to provide them with competitive matches so they remained 'tuned in'.

In fact I would have thrown the 'cat among the pigeons' by appointing Charlie Marshall captain of the A squad, and included Glenn Blakeney in it - that would have ensured things were competitive! While I understand Mr. Bascome's call for us to be more patient with the team, after all he is the assistant coach, I would encourage him to be more demanding of the players particularly when it comes to being physically prepared![[In-content Ad]]

---