Yes, we Cann

The island’s senior national squad is among six countries vying for lucrative ICC (International Cricket Council) funding and a spot in the next ICC Intercontinental Cup in Dubai.

The eventual top four teams will be eligible for ICC High Performance grants, while two of the top four countries will join the eight-team Intercontinental Cup at the discretion of world cricket’s governing body.

Heart

Cann, who represented Bermuda at the 2007 World Cup, is among those with high expectations heading into the tournament.

“We are not looking to compete, we are looking to win the tournament. Our main goal is to win this competition,” he declared.

“This team is better prepared, definitely better coached, and it’s just a matter of us having enough heart and understanding the love of the game and what positive results can have for Bermuda cricket.

“It’s now up to us to execute because Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) has given us the best opportunity to make sure we qualify for the Intercontinental Cup.

“It’s all in the players’ hands, and as individuals we need to get the job done.”

With opposing teams considered to be on an even par with each other, Cann is well aware that he and his fellow teammates have their work cut out for them in Dubai. “Obviously it’s going to take a huge, huge effort.

“It’s going to take the guys using all of what they have learned as well as a lot of courage,” he said.

“No doubt about it… this tournament is tougher than 2005 World Cup qualifiers.

“The teams are better and more prepared than 2005, and so it’s going to take a big effort.

“Every team here is looking to achieve the same thing — and that’s to finish in the top two.”

Bermuda take on Papua New Guinea (PNG) today in their opening WCL Division Two match at the ICC Global Cricket Academy Oval.

And even though Bermuda will go into the match as favourites, Cann has warned his teammates not to take the opposition lightly.

“PNG have climbed the rankings and so they deserve to be in this tournament,” he said.

“They are a hard team and we know they are going to come at us hard.

“For us to be successful we will definitely have to execute, take full advantage of our opportunities and keep the pressure on them.”

Associates

PNG skipper Rarua Dikana reckons his team is up for the task.

“I think we are in good shape for this tournament. The boys are really good,” he said.

Meanwhile, when asked to comment on the ICC’s decision to exclude Associate countries from the 2015 World Cup, top all-rounder Cann replied: “It’s unfortunate that decision has been made, but we can’t do anything about that.

“We just have to do what’s best for Bermuda cricket and keep climbing the rankings.

“The senior players understand the situation because they have been to the World Cup, but the rest who haven’t really don’t understand the magnitude of that decision because they haven’t lived it before.

“To them this (WCL) is Bermuda’s World Cup, and so that’s the way we have to look at it at the moment.”