Can Bermuda ever really be competitive at the highest level in cricket again? So many other countries are infested with overseas players who have become eligible, it isn’t funny.

This recent World Twenty20 qualifying tournament, which was held in the UAE, is an indicator that the majority, if not all the teams besides Bermuda, have turned to other resources to strengthen their teams. Now it is a question of how do we improve or level the playing field.

For years I have wondered why we as a country never questioned the ICC on why there is no player cap on teams. What I mean by that is: why are teams allowed an unlimited amount of foreign-based players who have become eligible, which takes away from the true development of the countries’ home-based players? Bermuda were the only team in the recent tournament that had all natural home-grown players. Some may look at David Hemp as being foreign-based, but he was born Bermudian.

Is it time that we attempt to level the playing field and write to the ICC requesting a player cap be put on each country, or do we simply have to find ways to improve? The answer in my eyes is: both. Each country should be allowed a maximum of five foreign-based players who have become eligible. They definitely help to raise the standard of cricket, but the cap would force countries to develop more top-class cricketers from within their own country. We have a chief executive who sits on the ICC Board and it is time we use him to address issues such as this.

Locally, there are a lot of Sri Lankans, Indians, South Africans and Englishmen, and I am sure if we looked we could find three or four really good cricketers who could improve our national team. Many of you will remember Saleem Mukuddem. He improved our team tremendously and I am sure there are more players like him around if we took the time to look and ask. Other countries are doing it, so why not us?

On the flip side, we need to accept that we as a country need to improve. The question is how? Several things must happen on various levels.

At board level, we must bring in an international coach with experience, but it has to be someone who has recently played the game. Our cricketers tend to respect coaches whom they know have played the game and been successful.

We must find ways to get cricket played more in the schools. I recently heard an interview where they said, Australian schoolchildren are more advanced in cricket than English children because the Australians have now implemented two terms of cricket, instead of one. We in Bermuda can adapt that philosophy, too. Why can’t we play indoor cricket from January to March and then from April to June play outdoors; this way our children are getting a lot more exposure to the game at a younger age. What’s good about this is that the indoor game is exciting and fun, and can help to bring interest to the game.

Clubs and players have a big role to play. Far too many of them are just going through the motions, just there to be there, with no ambition or drive. It has come to the point where some clubs are operating without a coach, which should not be allowed.

I am a believer, though, that everything starts at the top — so I am challenging the Bermuda Cricket Board today to step up its game and show the players that you mean business when it comes to improving Bermuda cricket. Here it is December; by the middle of January, the league schedule should be out and any new changes to the league format announced for all to see, months in advance of the new season.

A few weeks ago, here in England, next season’s schedule was released and all the new changes that they are implementing to their league system were announced as well. I was totally impressed, but all I could think was: why can’t this happen in Bermuda?

Bermuda Cricket Board, this is one way that you can show the players and coaches that you mean business, and hopefully they will follow your lead.

It is a long road back, but now is the time to sit down and reflect. A post-mortem must take place and players and coaches must be honest with themselves about their commitment levels and their love for the game. If we are to move cricket forward, our national squad players must be pioneers at their clubs and lead by example.

Quote of the week: You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream — C.S. Lewis