Logie committed to a brighter future

Gus Logie, the Bermuda coach, says he knows "what the problems are, now we are interested in finding solutions" to his side's constant bickering and sniping, and their consistently poor form on the field.

In an extensive interview with the Royal Gazette Logie bluntly accepted that a change of mindset would be vital if Bermuda are to ever seriously challenge the upper echelons of cricket's established order. But he also offered an explanation to their continually poor results.

"The island suffers from having a results oriented society," he told the newspaper. "In the shorter version you can see an instant result. In the longer game you can have a draw, and sometimes that doesn't sit very well with some people. But you have to be mindful of what cricket is about, you have to appreciate the fundamentals of the game.

"The reality of the situation is that life goes on, and we [the Bermuda Cricket Board] are here to help. We know that cricket can make a difference in people's lives. Yes we are criticised, and we have taken are fair share of criticism, but we know that some players need our support. "But they have to let us know," he said. "We are in a position where we can afford to provide support, be it financial or social, and if we do, then we can get more out of the individual.

"Some of the older players can adapt, and some of the younger players can't. But if we can teach them to love the game, to understand it, then they will want to play in a longer game, not just get it over and done with.

"The players can be taught to play the longer version, it's just a case of repetition . . . constantly teaching them to concentrate, build an innings, and understand how to play for longer."

Lionel Cann, one of Bermuda's most talented batsmen if not the most consistent, withdrew himself from the national squad earlier this month citing personal and family commitments. In addition, the country still doesn't possess an international pitch; their National Sports Centre is due for yet another inspection in the next few months to ascertain whether the wicket meets ICC standards.