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Bermuda skipper David Hemp is cautiously optimistic his team can regain the coveted Americas Regional Division One Championship on local clay later this month.

The island's previous success in the competition arrived in Toronto four years ago under then captain Irving Romaine.

But much has changed since then, with the island's senior national team not enjoying the best of times in terms of results going their way, as was the case during a winless tour of Africa earlier this year.

Still, former English County player Hemp remains upbeat that his team's fortunes will eventually take a turn for the better.

"There is no reason why we can't win the competition," he declared. "There will be some good sides playing against us so we will naturally have to play well if we are to compete and put ourselves in a position to win. I'm looking forward to the competition, which should be a good challenge for us."

Bermuda coach David Moore echoed Hemp's sentiments.

"I think on any given day Bermuda can beat Canada and USA .... I think any of those top three teams can beat each other. But it all will come down to our preparation and focus."

The former West Indies coach believes his crop of players have potential but admits the mental aspect of their game and fielding abilities leave much to be desired.

"They are a very skilful team.... but it's just a matter of some of their decision making skills that are a little bit low," he said. "I thought we played pretty well in Namibia for the time I was there and also in South Africa when we had the practice games.

"I just think some of our decision-making is a little poor at the moment and if we can work on that as well as our fielding I think we will improve greatly. We have to eliminate the poor decisions to allow ourselves to get the best out of our performances."

During his coaching stint here on island Moore plans to enhance Bermuda Cricket Board's various programmes.

"It's about viewing and auditing some of the programmes that are in place to make sure we are getting the best results there for the effort we are putting in," he added.

He is also looking forward to working with the island's national cricketers.

"I'm really excited about getting the opportunity to work with the players face to face and one on one," he said.

Moore has inherited a senior national team going through a rebuilding phase and, as such, will have the opportunity to leave his mark on the younger players coming through the programme.

It's an "exciting" challenge the Aussie has embraced with open arms.

"It's more than just moulding cricketers because you also get to help contribute to them as people as well," he stressed. "Most of the young guys are at the beginning of their exciting lives and I think it's important for them - not only to concentrate on their cricket - but concentrate on their lives as well."

Hemp, who single handily carried Bermuda during last year's World Cup qualifiers in South Africa, believes Moore is the right man to take local cricket to the next level.

"He is a no nonsense coach who expects high standards so will certainly push players to improve and develop their games," he said. "There is no reason why he cannot build and develop cricket on the island and get us back to ODI level again."[[In-content Ad]]

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