January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Selectors are spot on
The team is a very well balanced one and combines a good blend of youth and experience. The full squad announced last Thursday consist of Clay Smith (4-Day Captain) Irving Romaine (One-Day Captain) Janeiro Tucker, Kwame Tucker, Saleem Mukadeem, Dean Minors, David Hemp, Stephen Outerbridge, Rodney Trott, Malachi Jones, Dwayne Leverock, Hasan Durham, Ryan Steede, Kevin Hurdle and Stefan Kelly.
The inclusion of youngsters Malachi Jones, Rodney Trott and Stefan Kelly adds much needed youth and vibrancy to a side where the majority of players are nearer to the end of their careers than the beginning. One can only hope that all three acquit themselves well and use this opportunity to stake a serious claim for the fourteen World Cup spots up for grabs.
A major concern for many Bermuda fans has been the fitness, or should I say lack of fitness of the team. It is apparent to all that many of our national team players are not in the condition they should be and, quite frankly, there can be no excuse for this.
The nucleus of the squad have been training and playing non-stop cricket for over a year now, spending as much as two to three weeks abroad at a time on tour, one could reasonably expect them to be in far better shape.
Fitness
Nevertheless, it is encouraging to read reports that they are working hard on their fitness since becoming full-time. Mind you seeing that picture of Ryan Steede running with what looked like a parachute tied to him in Friday's Bermuda Sun made me question whether we were preparing for a major cricket tour or an ariel invasion of Normandy!
Whatever happened to team runs from the National Centre down Middle Road to Flatts and back via North Shore?
Most supporters will also be glad to learn that coach Gus Logie appears at long last to be taking a tough stance on fitness. Last week, in the hardest hitting public statement he has made since his arrival, he said that there are certain standards expected of all the players and if they don't meet the standards they won't be selected no matter who they are. One must remember that Logie himself was the beneficiary of a strict training regimen. From the late seventies to the mid-nineties when the West Indies dominated international cricket they placed a great deal of emphasis on physical conditioning which no doubt played a huge part in their success. Former West Indies pace bowler Michael Holding in his autobiography 'Whispering Death - The Life and Times of Michael Holding' - referring to the start of that era says "Our physiotherapist, Dennis Waight, came from the tough sport of rugby league, and significantly improved our fitness. Dennis demanded total commitment at training sessions and never tolerated slackers." If Bermuda follows this approach our team will undoubtedly benefit.
Wicket
On another note, the troubling issue of the wicket at the National Sports Centre has resurfaced. Well-known former league cricketer Gerald Bean, a die-hard Bermuda fan who has travelled abroad at his own expense to watch the team play on several occasions suggested last week that the wicket at the North Field be played on weekly so that we can find out if it will mature properly under constant use. Now I must confess to knowing very little about the preparation and maintenance of a cricket wicket but Bean's common sense approach seems reasonable and it may be worthwhile for those in authority to follow his advice!
Finally, it is unfortunate that the contractual situation between the Bermuda Cricket Board and the players has yet to be resolved. None of us are privy to the negotiations therefore it would be wrong to take sides. One can only hope that the matter is resolved as soon as possible. I would only caution that the BCB not treat the players in a 'stingy' manner and that the players be reasonable in their demands.[[In-content Ad]]
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