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When the rain finally went away the team got in two games. In the first one against Connection Wanderers, Bermuda bowled well and restricted them to 240.

It was a good wicket and the outfield was fast so the team felt that was a good score to chase.

Dean and Clay got us off to a good start but the squad was behind the run rate after the power plays and wickets were lost at crucial times.

The team was still in a reasonable position at 180 for five and I thought we could get the runs.

I found myself batting at number seven in that game and O.J. Pitcher and I had a good partnership going.

Once O.J. got out and I lost two partners back-to-back for a duck I had to go for it and I got bowled going for a big shot.

I was disappointed because even with the run-rate past eight an over, I felt I could have got it. It was frustrating not to get more of the strike but it's understandable with the youngsters. That's something they will learn with experience.

In the second game Bermuda bowled well again and restricted them to 180. The outfield was not really cut and it was hard to hit a four, so it was probably worth about 230 on that field.

The guys bowled well. I was really impressed with Arthur Pitcher and Malachi Jones. Everybody bowled well, but it was a good day for the youngsters especially.

Once again we had a good start but then the team lost Dean and Hemp got a first ball duck. Clay hung in there and I came in at number four with the score at 60 for two.

I was going well, batting against Ryan Hurley, the ex-West Indies spin bowler. I don't really look at names when I am out there - I treat them all the same. I have my zone and I look at the ball, where it has pitched and what it's going to do.

I was striking the ball very hard and I hit him for five sixes - anything that was in the slot, I knew I could clear the ropes.

I was feeling pretty good.

Then I got caught on the boundary.

I just hit three sixes in a row and I was going for a fourth. It was a terrible shot at that stage of the game.

The team was on top and I was the batsman in form. Coach always stresses to us that when we are in form we have to go on and get a big score.

I was very disappointed with that shot. It should never have happened and it more or less cost us the game.

We had wickets left and probably should have still had a chance but you don't give it away like that, especially when you are in form. I was very upset with myself.

Coach didn't have to say anything to me after the game. He knows I'm man enough to accept what I'd done wrong. He made a general statement to the team about making the most of situations when we are well set.

Quality time

with the family

It's nice to be back home. Even if it is only for a week before the team heads to Kenya.

Trinidad was hard work for us, but however hard the team is working I know our families are working twice as hard back home.

For me, since I had a new baby, the last six months I have really missed my family - especially my little girl, India.

She is 18-months-old and every day she is growing, or learning something new. Last time I was home she started talking. Every day I'm away I miss out on something.

That's my queen, my sweetheart. I always wanted a little girl and I miss her. She doesn't sleep too well when I'm away.

I also have two boys and I like to go to their sports games and support them.

Sanjay is nine and he plays football for North Village and I went to watch his game at the weekend.

My older son is Diego. He's 16 and he's really into his bowling so I went to his tournament at the weekend, too. I really wish we could have some international cricket at home so we could take our families and let them be a part of it.

At the moment our little girl runs our world. I talk on the phone to my girlfriend, Ginelle, every day and she tells me 'she's worn me out again'.

When I get back I'm a full-time dad, she just rests and rests and gets ready for the next trip.

She has to work hard and deal with the baby and keep her emotions in check. I feel for all the families of the players when the team is away so often.

I am hoping that the wives and girlfriends will be able to come out for some of the World Cup but we are still waiting to hear about that.

Ginelle came to the Americas' Cup and it was nice to have her there, to see me break the record against Argentina. It can be very lonely on tour and that's why the team has to bond together as one family.

It's all a learning process and we all understand we have to make sacrifices for our country. I miss my family but I have got my mind focused and I understand what it takes to be a professional sportsman.

First trip to Kenya

I've never been to Kenya. I was injured when the team went there last year. I've watched the tapes and the wickets are supposed to be pretty good for batting. I'm looking forward to it.

Bermuda has played against most of these teams before. Kenya never blew us away last year. The team was in winning positions on several occasions, but just failed to capitalize.

Some of the teams have professionals and have played more regular cricket than us. But I think Bermuda has played enough now, to keep our heads held high and look them in the eye and let them know Bermuda doesn't fear anyone.

It's also a great opportunity to try and qualify for the first-ever 20/20 World Cup. The top two teams go forward to play in that tournament in South Africa and that's a big motivation for the team.

For Bermuda to go and qualify and play in two World Cups in one year, that would really be something.

Bernard Julian's story

After this training camp the squad should not fear anyone. The whole team is better as individual players and better men after this camp. It was really inspirational to hear from someone like Bernard Julian. He told us how he had suffered from throat cancer and a couple of years ago he couldn't talk and basically thought he was going to die.

He said he lay on his bed and asked the Lord to just give him a chance. And there he was in Trinidad coaching, bowling at us in the nets, cutting the ball both ways and passing on his experience. He goes round the schools in Trinidad and talks about his life experience. He was a real inspiration to all of us.

Peeing in a cup....

The boys went for the drug tests this week. The squad has now been tested five times in the past 18 months and noone has ever tested positive. I'm proud to be part of that.

This time it was for performance enhancing drugs. The team also had a talk on different things you have to look out for - what cough medicines to avoid, protein shakes - there's so many banned substances now.

I believe in drug free sport. I think they are doing a great job and they should be given all the money they need to keep testing and keep sport clean.

Noone should have an unfair advantage when they go on the field and the last thing you want is someone to be doing drugs on the field and putting themselves and others at risk.[[In-content Ad]]

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