Outerbridge wins MVP Award

FRIDAY, SEPT. 7: Stephen Outerbridge has helped Bailey’s Bay collect a lot of silverware this season so it was fitting to see him lift the Logic Player of the Year Award yesterday.

The Bay skipper led the league with 448 runs.

In the end, Outerbridge topped Bay teammate Rodney Trott in the selector’s eyes.

Outerbridge said: “It’s a great accomplishment. It’s been a long time coming. I know a lot has been invested in me and I hope I finally get the chance to deliver in Bermuda and just show the qualities I do possess.”

Abuse

The skipper said he winning the MVP Award in a year dominated by Bailey’s Bay was just extra frosting on the cake.

“It’s always special when Bay wins anything. To win Player of the Year is such a great accomplishment. I’ve been through a lot. I’ve taken a lot of abuse saying ‘I’m a waste of money’ or ‘I’m this or that’ so I’m hoping this puts the doubters to rest.”

After successfully guiding Bailey’s Bay to the league title, is it time for Outerbridge to skipper the national team?

There have been several calls for him to be promoted to captain over David Hemp.

Outerbridge said: “Every player wants to captain their national team at some point. When the time comes and the time is right, it will happen. Until then, I will continue doing what I have been doing.”

He said next year’s World Cricket League Division Three tournament, which will be played in Bermuda, is huge. In order for Bermuda to have any chance to advance to the Cricket World Cup, it will have to come in the top two.

“We saw what happened in 2005 and what it did for the sport.”

Outerbridge said he’s hoping the team will “get it right” and move up a division.

Trott wasn’t too disappointed not to win Player of the Year since he lost out to his skipper.

“As long as a Bay person had it, that’s what counts. Stephen as my captain has had an exceptional year so he deserves it.”

Trott said team unity was the key for Bailey’s Bay winning the league and the Eastern Counties.

Difference

“We did everything together. Every Thursday we had mandatory barbecues that everybody must attend. We hang out together and it was just that everybody was there for one another this year. That was the difference.

“That was seen on the field. When things got tough, we all stuck together and got the job done.”

Trott feels the time is right for Outerbridge to skipper Bermuda.

“Honestly, it’s time for a change. I think Stephen is the guy for the job and I am going to back him to the fullest. He is the right man.

“He understands how things are in Bermuda. He understands the guys and understands the situations they are going through because he’s around the players more and relates to the players more.

“Those are the type of things that will help Bermuda move forward in the cricketing world.”

Trott added that with the World Cricket league matches coming, Outerbridge is poised to be the man who could best lead the team to success.