Hemp: ‘I’m not ready to quit’

Former captain David Hemp is desperate to carry on playing for Bermuda despite the ‘disappointing’ results in Dubai and his imminent emigration to Australia.

The former Glamorgan and Warwickshire batsman was the island’s top run-scorer at the World Twenty20 Qualifiers in the UAE, scoring 212 runs at an average of 35.33, as Bermuda finished 14th and failed to make the finals in Bangladesh next year.

After beating Scotland and Denmark, Bermuda then lost six on the spin, including a 13th-place playoff against Uganda. 

Afghanistan, Ireland, Nepal, UAE, Hong Kong and Netherlands were the six teams to book their place in the finals.

“Obviously it’s disappointing,” Hemp told the Bermuda Sun, “especially after the start we had when we won the first two games, and especially beating Scotland, who were one of the sides ranked above us. It was the ideal start.

“We knew the games after against Holland and Afghanistan would be difficult but I felt that the three games after — against Kenya, Nepal and Papau New Guinea — we had a chance of winning. 

“Unfortunately, we just didn’t put together enough complete performances together with bat and ball. Teams did to us what we did to Scotland, where we put runs on the board, pressured them and squeezed them. I think we showed that as a team we could compete but unfortunately in Twenty20 cricket you can’t afford bad overs.”

Melbourne move

Hemp, who played in the 2007 World Cup for Bermuda, scoring a memorable  76 not out against India, turned 43 while the team were in Dubai.

He moves to Melbourne in three weeks to join up with his wife and two children, who have already left the UK.

After a stint as cricket master at Solihull School, near Birmingham, Hemp has now targeted getting back into the professional game through coaching or in an administrative capacity. Although he admits the future is uncertain, quitting Bermuda cricket is not part of the plan and he has refused to rule out another tilt at reaching a major finals.

He said: “From my perspective, I’m not getting any younger. I would still like to carry on playing and I still feel I can contribute to the side on and off the field so you never know.

“I’ll see what the schedule is going forward for the next 18 months.”

He added: “I would love to carry on. 

“When you look at the teams that have qualified, like Hong Kong and Nepal, there is no reason why Bermuda can’t do that going forward. 

“I don’t want to stop playing — but I have to wait and see. I don’t know what my circumstances are going to be in Australia in terms of employment.

“I know a few players from my playing days who are in Melbourne and have been in contact with them about coaching opportunities. I want to get back in the professional game rather than work in a school, whether that’s admin or coaching.”