Cricket clubs are negotiating as they try to lure players and coaches for the new season. Some of the names that are being talked about are extremely intriguing.

Over the past few weeks, Malachi Jones’s name has been the talk of the town. One of Bermuda’s best is on the move and two clubs are vying for his signature — Bailey’s Bay and Cleveland County. It looks as if Bailey’s Bay have won the battle to sign the highly rated player, but who knows what can happen between now and the transfer deadline on March 31.

Another name tipped to transfer to Bailey’s Bay is St George’s young seam bowler Zeko Burgess. He played in Cup Match two years ago and was looked upon as the future of St George’s cricket. If Bay manage to pull off these two transfers, Zeko and Malachi could form a potent opening bowling partnership, thus making Bay favourites for the league title.

St George’s have been doing some business, too, as it appears Ryan Steede will be leaving Bay to become player-coach. This is a shrewd piece of business, as not only do you have a coach, but a player who can also improve your team. This will be his first appointment as coach and, boy, what a massive job he has on his hands.

While on Bay, recently they interviewed a few coaches for the head job, but they have yet to make an announcement on who will take over this year. Will they stick with Irving Romaine or the one name that is being talked about highly — Ricky Hoyte. Only time will tell!

While still in the east, the big question that is on every St George’s fans mind is who will be their captain? St Georgians know that whoever is league captain is more than likely going to be the Cup Match captain. Before Steede’s appointment, it is rumoured that former coach Noel Gibbons had expressed an interest in having St David’s George O’Brien come across the bridge and take over the job. Who knows what will happen now that there is a new coach on board.

Could Oronde Bascome have a change of heart and stay in the east? St George’s has not come out publicly to state that he has officially stepped down, so anything is possible. There has been a lot of speculation about where he could end up playing this season — Willow Cuts or Southampton Rangers.

Also said to be on the move are Chris Douglas and Chris Foggo, both from Willow Cuts. Devonshire Recreation and Cleveland County are two clubs vying for the service of Chris Douglas. If he ends up at the Rec he would make a massive impact in the First Division. However, the challenge of trying to help Cleveland to a first league title could be just the challenge he is looking for.

Chris Foggo, on the other hand, is hoping that a change of scenery will help to revitalise his game, as he was once looked upon as one of Bermuda’s finest cricketers.

A member of the 2005 World Cup qualifying team, his game has slipped and is in need of a fresh challenge. Several clubs are chasing his signature, but where he will end up is anybody’s guess. Whoever secures his signature will have player of exceptional potential.

Another Willow Cuts player possibly on the move is Ricardo Brangman. Will he be lured to Southampton Rangers to play under his father, coach Ricky Brangman, or will he return to Devonshire Rec to help with their push for promotion under new head coach Dwayne Leverock?

Flatts have been in search of a coach in the off-season and a few names have been mentioned, particularly Wendell White. Surely they will want to secure a coach in the very near future as a Premier Division team.

These are just some of the many transfers that we could see happen at the end of this month. I would advise clubs not to take players just for the sake of taking them. Identify what type or style of player you need to strengthen your programme and ask yourself if this player will improve or hinder your programme. Make sure the player is a good fit for your team.

The one key element to success is unity. So if a player is coming to your club, he has to be able to gel with the rest of the players that are already there. Success will come, but don’t lower your morals and values for the sake of any player or for the sake of winning.