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Robert ‘Icewater’ Smith is without a doubt the Bermuda cricket team’s number one fan. The retired mason has at his own expense travelled with the side to every major cricket tournament since 2001.

And as Bermuda vice-captain Janeiro Tucker was quick to point out did not jump on the bandwagon because of their recent success but stood by the team during the hard times.

Bermuda team manager El James has described him as the team’s ‘assistant manager’ and regards him as something of a talisman.

Even ICC development manager Martin Vierra suggested in his speech before presenting Bermuda with the Americas Region of the Inter-Continental Cup that judging by the results Bermuda had better carry ‘Icewater’ everywhere they go.

Mr. Smith’s love for the game begun at an early age, he represented PHC and even formed his own team, ‘the Skylarks’ who on occasion played friendlies against British military personnel stationed on the island.

Mr. Smith explained that he followed the team because he “was anxious to support the team and see them qualify for the World Cup.”

While he admitted he was disappointed that Bermuda did not qualify in 2001, attributing this to a lack of confidence, he noticed that prior to leaving for Ireland earlier this year they were more unified.

“‘The players embraced one another, that’s how I knew they were going to qualify.”

When Bermuda took the final wicket against the Americans ensuring that they qualified for the World Cup he ran onto the field along with everyone else waving the national flag. “I was more than happy, it was a tremendous win, my prayers had been answered” he said.

Unfortunately Mr. Smith won’t be able to make it to Namibia to support the team, October just happens to be the month that he and his wife cruises but he remains confident that the team will be victorious.[[In-content Ad]]

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