If we are to go forward and strive to become a major cricketing country rather than just another minnow then we need to develop, expand and enhance our league structure.

Already we have introduced the 20/20 this year, but what else can we do to enhance and spice up our cricket to get the crowds back or raise the quality for that matter? One simple solution would be to introduce overseas players into our league structure.

It's been ten years since I last played in England and I said it then and I will say it now, we need to follow the England minor league structure by allowing one overseas player into each team.

In England at the club level each team is allowed one overseas paid professional. This player would assist in the club's junior programme during the week while also overseeing the senior team's training sessions, if the club does not have a coach.

To be quite honest, our league games lack professionalism, reek of poor discipline and furthermore lack the quality to attract the general public on a regular basis. Even I, as a senior cricketer, find it hard to motivate myself to play every week.

Imagine the top eight teams in the Island being allowed one oversees paid professional . . . what it would do to the fan base here! Broaden that thought and imagine if the players were from the West Indies, Sri Lanka, India or Australia.

I recall a few years ago going to Wellington Oval to see Courtney Walsh bowl to a packed house in what was merely a friendly game. If one foreign player could do this, visualise what eight international quality players could do.

Here are a few names that come to mind that would ignite the fan base and the players: Kieron Pollard (Trinidad), a guy who can hit the ball a mile, almost twice as far as Lionel Cann, Adrian Barath (Trinidad), the new batting sensation of the West Indies, dubbed the next Brian Lara and Tino Best (Barbados) known for his hostile express bowling.

As we have a big Asian fan base here, it would be important to tap into their cricket as well. One can simply reflect on the IPL 20/20 to see that there are young talented cricketers coming through who may be able to benefit from playing here.

The important thing about a venture of this magnitude would be to make sure you had a wide variety of players, i.e. fast bowlers, batsmen, spinners, wicketkeepers, all-rounders etc. Throughout the season they could be responsible for the club's junior training programmrs and could also put on various specialist camps.

Yes, this would be a costly venture, but one that I think would be well worth every penny. It would generate the public's interest and at the same time motivate the players, while raising the overall standard of cricket, week in and week out.

From an international level, it would also assist our players from a training aspect as these players could assist in our preparations for major tournaments. Before tours there could be matches against the overseas players, both 50-over and 20/20 games, to give our boys the best preparation possible.

How much would a venture like this really cost if Bermuda were to seriously consider this as a country?

I figure no more than $150,000 per season. Initially it may look like a large figure, but when you actually break it down and really look at what you are getting for your money, it would be more than worth the trouble.

As I said in the beginning, Bermuda cricket needs a facelift, something to raise the standard a few notches. We have a group of under-13s and Under- 15s that are coming through, but they are about five years away from really blossoming and getting Bermuda cricket back on track.

In the meantime, I think we really need to consider this option seriously and try to find a way to formulate a plan such as this. This idea will not only motivate the current players, but it would also give our youngsters an opportunity to see world class players on a consistent basis.