January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Hemp: We'll respect our opponents
Cricket captain says the squad won't be complacement heading into tournament
Hemp: We'll respect our opponents
By Colin Thompson
Bermuda skipper David Hemp has warned his players not to take anything for granted on the eve of the Americas Regional Division One Championship that bowls off today on local soil.
Hemp will lead his men against minnows Bahamas at the National Sports Centre in the hopes of making a winning start to the regional competition.
The hosts will enter the match as overwhelming favourites. However, the former English County cricketer has cautioned his teammates not to be lured into a false sense of security against an unknown quantity such as Bahamas.
He said: “Whenever you are playing you cannot be complacent because every game is tough no matter who you are playing. You have to prepare for every game as though you were playing against Australia or Bahamas – for me it really doesn’t matter.
“You don’t fear your opponents, but you must respect them and for us we have to make sure we are on the money from ball one.”
Bermuda’s previous success in this tournament arrived in Toronto in 2006 and Hemp sees no reason why his team cannot be equally as successful this time around in front of the home crowd.
He declared: “If we play to our potential then there’s no reason why we cannot win this competition. Obviously there are some good sides and we will have to play well.
“But destiny is in our own hands and the players have put some hard work in over the last few weeks. The coaching staff is happy with the developments and so it’s just up to us to get it right in the field.”
Bermuda lost the services of star batsman and occasional off spinner Chris Douglas to injury on the eve of the tournament, forcing the selectors to recall veteran all rounder Janeiro Tucker at the 11th hour to plug the gap.
Disappointing
“Obviously it’s disappointing for Chris, but it’s great to be able to replace him with someone of Janeiro’s experience and from my perspective it’s great to have him back in the team,” Hemp said.
Southampton Rangers player/coach Tucker has yet to recover fully from minor knee surgery but insists that he is fit enough to contribute to the cause.
“The knee is not 100 per cent per cent but that’s the best it’s going to be at my age,” he smiled. “I am willing to do whatever the team need me to do.”
Tucker is among those who have embraced national coach David Moore’s vision to take Bermuda cricket to the next level.
“Moore has a lot of faith in my ability and I am really looking forward to working with him,” he added.
As for Bermuda’s chances for Americas success, Tucker said: “I think we have a good chance. We have a bit of experience and youth and if we can bond together and work together as one things may work for us. The main thing is to work together and things should fall into place from there.” n
Bermuda skipper David Hemp has warned his players not to take anything for granted on the eve of the Americas Regional Division One Championship that bowls off today on local soil.
Hemp will lead his men against minnows Bahamas at the National Sports Centre in the hopes of making a winning start to the regional competition.
The hosts will enter the match as overwhelming favourites. However, the former English County cricketer has cautioned his teammates not to be lured into a false sense of security against an unknown quantity such as Bahamas.
He said: “Whenever you are playing you cannot be complacent because every game is tough no matter who you are playing. You have to prepare for every game as though you were playing against Australia or Bahamas – for me it really doesn’t matter.
“You don’t fear your opponents, but you must respect them and for us we have to make sure we are on the money from ball one.”
Bermuda’s previous success in this tournament arrived in Toronto in 2006 and Hemp sees no reason why his team cannot be equally as successful this time around in front of the home crowd.
He declared: “If we play to our potential then there’s no reason why we cannot win this competition. Obviously there are some good sides and we will have to play well.
“But destiny is in our own hands and the players have put some hard work in over the last few weeks. The coaching staff is happy with the developments and so it’s just up to us to get it right in the field.”
Bermuda lost the services of star batsman and occasional off spinner Chris Douglas to injury on the eve of the tournament, forcing the selectors to recall veteran all rounder Janeiro Tucker at the 11th hour to plug the gap.
Disappointing
“Obviously it’s disappointing for Chris, but it’s great to be able to replace him with someone of Janeiro’s experience and from my perspective it’s great to have him back in the team,” Hemp said.
Southampton Rangers player/coach Tucker has yet to recover fully from minor knee surgery but insists that he is fit enough to contribute to the cause.
“The knee is not 100 per cent per cent but that’s the best it’s going to be at my age,” he smiled. “I am willing to do whatever the team need me to do.”
Tucker is among those who have embraced national coach David Moore’s vision to take Bermuda cricket to the next level.
“Moore has a lot of faith in my ability and I am really looking forward to working with him,” he added.
As for Bermuda’s chances for Americas success, Tucker said: “I think we have a good chance. We have a bit of experience and youth and if we can bond together and work together as one things may work for us. The main thing is to work together and things should fall into place from there.”
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