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It was great to be in Canada to see Bermuda finish their best tour since we won the America's Cup.

I was really encouraged by what I saw from the boys and I think we're looking in good shape.

Here's my point-by-point verdict on the Canada tour and a few reasons to be positive ahead of the Scotland game.

The professionals

I was very impressed with the young players the BCB has contracted. Rodney (Trott), Stephen (Outerbridge), Jekon (Edness) and Tamauri (Tucker) all had good tours. They showed their professionalism in the field, their thought processes when they were bowling, their patience with the bat. You could see the difference that just a few months of playing full time has made. It would be great if the BCB could expand that programme and have more players on full-time deals.

The batting

The four-day game has always been tough for Bermuda players but Irving Romaine and Jekon Edness played masterful innings on Sunday. They gave no chances and their partnership put Bermuda in a position to win the game. Romaine should have got a deserved hundred. But that was one of the best 80s I've ever seen. Stephen Outerbridge did a similar job in the first innings.

Fielding and fitness

The fielding was tight. You could see that guys were in shape. They have been working on their fitness and it showed. Chris Foggo took some very sharp catches and the all-round fielding was very good. The morale in the camp is very good. I had a few conversations with the players and they are feeling very positive.

Stefan Kelly

It's a while since I'd seen Stefan play and he looks to have improved a lot. He's added a yard of pace and he bowled with impeccable line and length. He beat the bat on several occasions and will cause trouble for most openers if he continues to bowl like that.

Sluggo

Sluggo's going to be the go-to guy again this weekend. I'm sure he was licking his lips when he saw the ball turning and bouncing on the first day in Canada. The wicket in Bermuda will really assist bowlers throughout and it will be turning square by the third day, so it's good to have Sluggo in form.[[In-content Ad]]

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