BELCO format under fire from cricket captain

Southampton Rangers captain Dion Stovell chose the unveiling of this season’s BELCO Cup to denounce the new format, saying it was unfair.

This year, rather than feature just the top four teams, the top two sides from 2013, St David’s and Rangers, go in at the semi-final stage, with the next eight teams competing for the remaining two semi-final spots via two knockout rounds.

The switch reflects BELCO chief operating officer Denton Williams’ desire to include more of the community in the event and to also bring it up to ‘international standards’.

However, Stovell, who will lead defending champions Rangers in this year’s tournament, made no secret of his unhappiness.

“I’m not too much for the format,” he said. “But I’d like to thank BELCO for being a part of this tournament over the years.

“I think based on last year’s performances from other teams, the top four teams, to me, should have played a semi-final because it gives teams like Bailey’s Bay an opportunity to try to win it again and I think personally they played some poor cricket  last year — but they have another lifeline.

“But we always look to win the competition and be competitive, so we have to train hard and play hard, and look to win and retain the title.”

Stovell also believes there is a danger the top two teams will be under-cooked in the semi-finals. “I think it’s a disadvantage to be honest,” he said.

“Like I said before, for teams like Bailey’s Bay and Cuts, who have strengthened their teams and are going to get one, two or even three games under their belt, it gives Rangers and St David’s a disadvantage... but we’ll just have to play it, I guess.”

Del Hollis, of St David’s CC, said: “I would prefer to play the top teams in the island, like Dion said. But it’s trying to involve the community, so if that’s the way they want to go, then that’s the way to deal with it.”

In response, the Bermuda Cricket Board’s Nyon Steede said: “Last year, BELCO said they wanted to make the Cup a bigger competition and more prestigious and they decided they wanted to include more teams to make it more competitive and more interesting over a longer period of time. So this was the brainchild of BELCO and it is shaping up to be an important and interesting season-opener.”

He added: “The likes of St David’s and Rangers are good enough teams to handle those teams who may have a slight advantage.” n