Log In

Reset Password
BERMUDA | RSS PODCAST

Building for the future

WITH youngsters OJ Pitcher, Chris Foggo, Ryan Steede and Stephen Outerbridge all currently broadening their horizons overseas - Bermuda's future in cricket looks bright.

And now three more of the island's top junior prospects are set to converge onto the international scene later this summer as part of the ICC's ongoing development programme that targets 'elite' junior players from developing cricket countries within the America's region. Earlier this week, BCBC president Reggie Pearman confirmed that Jacobi Robinson, Jekon Edness and Detroy Smith were chosen to represent an America's Under-19 Regional select that will compete in the 2002 West Indies Regional cricket tournament in Jamaica from July 30 to August 25.

Now Pearman would like to see more youngsters following in their footsteps.

"Anytime you get the opportunity to travel abroad, the chance to gain knowledge is always there," said Pearman. "Hopefully this will be a stepping stone for these youngsters who are very keen on cricket.

"We have chosen these guys because they have shown a tremendous interest in cricket and hopefully others will come forward."

With Outerbridge presently in Grenada attending the West Indies Cricket Academy, Pearman would also like to see more local youngsters enrolled in overseas cricket academies on an annual basis.

Earlier this year Foggo also attended the Port Elizabeth Cricket Academy in South Africa before heading off to the UK to join ranks with Roland Butcher at Pyrford Cricket Club in the Surrey County League.

"Next year we will be looking to send someone else to Grenada, South Africa or possibly even somewhere else," added the president.

"They (players) will be looked at and if their progress is good then they will definitely be considered for selection. The opportunities are there for them. Avenues are opening up and hopefully they will apply themselves."

While the BCBC contemplate whether or not the senior national team will take part in the Red Stripe competition later this summer, Pearman also noted that the time was ripe to start moulding the next generation of senior national team cricketers. "We hope that some of these guys we have chosen will at some point in the future form the nucleus of our senior national team.

"And we still have an interest in some of the guys that are currently playing at the senior level, but hopefully these guys will form the nucleus. All they have do is return home and part with some of the knowledge that they have acquired overseas. Hopefully this experience will also bode them well in their personal lives."

Bermuda's youngsters are set to compete in next year's Under-19 America's Cup Regional Tournament to be held in Canada, while the Under-15 national squad will see action in the US later this summer.

Robinson, Edness and Smith are all expected to be key figures in Bermuda's Under-19 America's Cup bid next year.

Meanwhile, when the Mid-Ocean News caught up with Robinson mid-week, the talented 17-year- old Somerset Cricket Club all-rounder was ecstatic about the prospect of touring the Caribbean later this summer along with Edness and Smith.

And while many avid cricket enthusiasts may have anticipated this to be Robinson's year to finally break into Somerset's Cup Match XI - the faithful west end following will now have to wait another year for his impending arrival.

But despite the fact that he will be unavailable for the mid-summer classic, Robinson - the son of former Western Stars' spinner Wayne (Spike) Richardson - says that for the moment he is just concentrating on the tour.

"This tour could bring on bigger and better things," said Robinson. "Besides.... Cup Match ain't going nowhere.

"It's unfortunate that I won't be around for Cup Match, but then there's always next year.

"I am just looking to go to this tournament (West Indies Regional) and represent my country well. But right now I am just concentrating on the tour."

In other cricket news:

***

Warwick's talented all-rounder Dion Stovell may have failed with the bat against Somerset Bridge last weekend. However, the youngster more than compensated in the bowling department by taking impressive figures of four for 27 in just six overs which also included one maiden.

***

Southampton Rangers' young Sri Lankan seam bowler Ramen Wijewardena announced his arrival onto the big stage in style by taking two wickets during his team's busy weekend.

***

St.David's talented youngster Delyone Borden scored 35 valuable runs during the Islander's inspiring win over neighbouring St.George's while colleague Mackie Crane returned superb bowling figures of five for 47 with one maiden in nine overs.

***

This weekend's schedule: Tomorrow - Central Counties, First round, Western Stars v Social Club, St.John's Field; Sunday: Premier Division: Southampton v Flatts, Southampton Oval; Western Stars v St.George's, St.John's Field; Cleveland v Somerset CC, Wellington Oval; Bailey's Bay v St.David's, Sea Breeze Oval. First Division - Willow Cuts v Police, Somerset CC Field; PHC v Warwick, White Hill Field; Devonshire v Somerset Bridge, Devonshire Rec. Field.

All matches begin at 12 noon.

***Commercial Cricket League results:

(42 overs per side)

At Garrison Field: Leg Trappers (10 pts) beat Devonshire Stars (0 pts) by nine wickets. Devonshire Stars 109 in 34.2 overs (D.Smith 57 not out; C.Scaife 4-22, J.Hughes 2-20), Leg Trappers 110-1 in 24 overs (D.Hosier 53 not out, A. Trinder 38 not out).

At Royal Naval Field: West Indian Association (10 pts) beat Forties (0 pts) by two wickets. Forties 141-6 innings closed (A.Lee 36, G.Campbell 31, M.Melvin 23; J.Watts 2-14, S.Francis 2-34, J.Callender 2-52), West Indian Association 144-8 in 37.4 overs (B.Richards 54; A.Lee 3-30, G.Campbell 3-44, B.Holdipp 2-25).

At Lord's: Police Recreation Club (10 pts) beat St. David's (0 pts) by two wickets. St. David's (10 men) 169 in 37 overs (G.Cannonier 61, K.O'Connor 23; R. Goonewardene 6-65, P.Roberts 3-18), Police Recreation Club 175-8 in 34 overs (D.Fray 51, I.Simpson 28 not out, R.Goonewardene 25; D.Lamb 2-27, L.Cann 2-55).

At Shelly Bay: North Village (10 pts) beat Jamaican Association (0 pts) after Jamaican Assocation walked off the field and conceded the match. Jamaican Association 138 in 38.1 overs (P.Millwood 35, J.Lindo 25; C.Caisey 4-43, K.Thompson 3-16), North Village 96-3 in 25.1 overs (K.Thompson 36 not out).

Sunday's fixtures: Leg Trappers v Police, Police Field; St. David's v Forties, Lord's; Jamaican Association v Devonshire Stars, Shelly Bay. Byes: West Indian Association and North Village. Games start at 12.30 p.m.