January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Analysis
We don't need less of Sluggo
We need more players with his ability
Though few have named names, much of the commentary has been made with a wink and a nod towards Dwayne 'Sluggo' Leverock's bulging waistline.
We've even heard suggestions that the spin bowler should either drop the weight or drop out.
But do the fitness concerns stand up to scrutiny?
Though few would argue that Sluggo, and some of his team-mates, are somewhat prone to the excess poundage, there is a suspicion that those who concentrate solely on the fitness angle are hanging the wrong man.
A quick look at the stats tells us that the burly spin bowler's figures are a lot more flattering than his figure.
Leverock took three for 119 in a herculean 47 overs earlier this week.
It was a decent showing, but far from his best performance this year or even on this tour.
His five for 53 against Kenya was the 12th best bowling performance by anyone in the WORLD this year.
His two for nine and two for 14 against Canada are also among the tightest bowling performances anywhere in the world this year and his overall economy rate of 3.29 is the ninth best of any bowler worldwide.
That makes him comfortably Bermuda's best bowler. CricketEurope also ranks him in the top ten bowlers outside of the Test world.
With four more Sluggos in the line-up Bermuda would have a much better chance of causing an upset at the World Cup.
Now, we're not suggesting that the team wouldn't be better off in the field if the big man shed a few pounds or that his physique should be the mould for the new Bermudian professional.
Just that his contribution with the ball should not be forgotten. It is worth remembering that Sluggo spends as much, if not more, time on the training field than anyone else.
Simply looking at the scales and saying that it's not been time well spent is too easy.
Amid the hue and cry about the athleticism of the players, one factor that seems to have been forgotten, is that cricket is essentially a game of skill. You're unlikely to see Leverock slam dunking a basketball or winning a 100 metre sprint, but spin bowling is above all else an art form
And Sluggo, thanks to his strong work ethic and natural ability, is our best exponent.
No doubt the critics will continue to have their say, but we're sure Sluggo will continue to answer them the only way he knows how.
With the ball.[[In-content Ad]]
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