Fielding could be key to our success says Moore

FRIDAY, JULY 15: Success at next week’s regional ICC World Twenty20 2012 qualifiers in Florida could hinge largely on Bermuda’s ability to stem the flow of runs in the field.

That’s the view of national coach David Moore, who has gone to great lengths to emphasize the crucial role fielding plays in the shorter versions of the game.

He said: “Fielding is very key as every run is like gold in these sorts of tournaments. And if you get early wickets it really helps your cause.

“If teams can get early wickets then they will certainly put the opposition on the back foot and make things a lot harder.”

Moore said his players will have to be “mentally strong” in every facet of the game if they are to advance to next year’s World Twenty20 global qualifiers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“You can’t relax at all in Twenty20 cricket because the minute you do someone gets under your guard and makes a quick 30 or 40 runs and they are away — or you lose a couple of wickets in clumps and then you’re on the back foot again.

“We have the team to get the job done, but we have to be mentally strong and have to play better than the opposition during those crucial moments.”

Moore said his players must be able to seize the initiative and keep the pressure on their opponents.

“Once you get that momentum you have to continue working hard throughout the 20 overs to make sure you maintain that dominance if you like.

“We certainly have to play the key moments, play the basics right and also play to our strengths.”

In theory, Bermuda should achieve its qualifying objective in Florida without much resistance.

But after watching his team get relegated to the World Cricket League Division Three in Dubai earlier this year, Moore isn’t taking anything for granted.

“I thought on paper we could do the job in Dubai. But it’s all about how you play those key moments in the game.

“In Dubai we didn’t play those key moments well, but hopefully we do better reading and playing the game in Florida.”

Moore believes the Twenty20 format helps the region’s so-called minnows bridge the gap.

“In Twenty20 cricket any team can win and I think there will be plenty of upsets in this tournament for sure.

“The shorter the game the more even the game and so that’s why we certainly have to be on our toes.

“We have very talented guys in our lineup. But they have to be focused and understand their roles to get us across the line and win games for us.”