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With the number of international commitments increasing it's getting tougher and tougher for guys to get the time off work to play for their country.

The only way I can see things improving is if Government comes out and makes it mandatory for people's jobs to let them have the time off when they are selected to represent Bermuda - in any sport.

We have all this talent but we can't send full-strength teams away because people can't get off from work.

Employers have to decide - are they for Bermuda or are they not?

I have been blessed because Saltus is a good employer and puts Bermuda first. Other players haven't been so lucky.

Look at Kevin Hurdle. He's been one of Bermuda's best players over the past few years and keeps getting better and better but he can't get time off work.

I know the companies will say they need their employees at work, but in any job people get sick, people take time off, there are ways to cover.

Sport is a great 'way out' for our young people. But if talent doesn't get out there on the world stage then its just unseen talent.

Something definitely needs to be worked out because sport has an important role in people's lives.

Stanford 20-20

It's good to be back in training after a nice long break and to be honest I can't wait for the Stanford 20-20 tournament.

This is a very important tournament for us and we have to give a good account of ourselves, even if we don't win.

Stanford has put a lot of money into cricket and he's going to want to see where it's gone.

We've been drawn against Guyana, the defending champions.

We seem to keep getting unlucky with the draw. Last year we got Jamaica, the favourites. This time we got the winners.

It won't be easy. They are right in the middle of their season - playing in the Carib Cup. We are in our off-season, doing all our training indoors at the BHS Gym.

It's pretty hectic sometimes because the under-19s and the women's team are in training as well, but Herbie's (Bascome) an inventive coach and he's doing an excellent job with the guys.

We are all knitting together well.

There's only three of us left from the World Cup and the last 20-20 - me, Sluggo and Irving, so it's another rookie team that we're working with.

The main thing is to conduct ourselves right and play cricket the way it is supposed to be played.[[In-content Ad]]

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