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Out-of-contract Bascome the front-runner to be reappointed Bermuda coach

Inside track: Herbie Bascome’s contract as Bermuda coach has expired but he is a front-runner to be retained under new president Arnold Manders (Photograph by Akil Simmons)

Herbie Bascome has thrown his hat into the ring for a second stint as coach of Bermuda’s national cricket team.

Arnold Manders, the Bermuda Cricket Board president, has confirmed that the former St George’s fast bowler is a candidate for the post that became vacant after his initial term expired in March.

“Herbie is in line for it,” Manders said.

“I think there’s others that will put up their hand, but right now it’s only Herbie.”

Bascome succeeded Clay Smith as national coach after being appointed in the position in February 2019.

Before then he also served as assistant coach to Trinidadian Gus Logie, the former national coach and West Indies Test player.

Undoubtedly the highlight of Bascome’s brief stint was Bermuda’s qualification for the ICC T20 World Cup Global Qualifier in Dubai, where the island ultimately came up short.

This was achieved after the national team finished second behind Canada to secure one of the two qualifying spots up for grabs at the Americas regional qualifying tournament, which the island hosted last year.

The board is looking to have a national coach installed by the end of next month as Bermuda get set to launch their preparations for the Americas qualifier in Canada for the 2022 T20 World Cup.

The tournament will be held from July 17 to 23 and will also feature Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Cayman Islands, Panama and United States

Bermuda will also look to get their 2023 ICC World Cup qualifying campaign back on track when the Cricket World Cup Challenge League B resumes in Jersey next year.

The rescheduled tournament, which also features Hong Kong, Italy, Kenya and Uganda, will be held from September 1 to 14.

Bermuda have much to do if they are to keep their hopes of competing at a second World Cup alive with only the group winner advancing to the next round of qualifiers.

As it stands, the national team are rooted to the bottom of the CWC League B standings having lost four and suffered a rain-out in their opening five group matches played in Oman last December.

Meanwhile, Manders is yet to decide whether to continue his role as coach of Bermuda’s under -19 squad after becoming president.

“I haven’t ruled out anything and most likely I’ll probably coach the under-19s,” the former Bermuda captain said.

Bermuda are set to take part in the Americas regional qualifying tournament in the United States next summer for the 2022 ICC Under-19 World Cup.

The tournament, also involving Argentina and Canada, will be held from August 18 to 25.

Only the winner of the 50-overs round-robin tournament will advance to the main event to be held in the West Indies.

Manders said the BCB is in the process of revamping its entire programme, with the senior national team and under-19 team’s international commitments in the new year taking top priority.

“We have been meeting since I’ve been in [as president] developing plans and programmes and all of that to throw out,” he said.

“The first two [programmes] will be the Under 19s and the seniors, but it’s not as easy as it looks because of Covid-19. I think we will probably be ready to start in February; no earlier.

“We’re just looking at the programme and trying to get it organised. We’re looking to revamp the whole programme and find out who is the right person to run it.

“We’re just trying to sort out everything and nothing is getting rolled out until we are organised and the programmes and coaching staff are put together.

“It’s not about going and doing things blindly. We want everything organised and are just trying to work out how we are going to get everything put together.”

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Published December 24, 2020 at 8:00 am (Updated December 23, 2020 at 10:24 pm)

Out-of-contract Bascome the front-runner to be reappointed Bermuda coach

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