Dear Sir,

When I first sat down to pen this letter, it was with the sole intention of congratulating Travis Smith on becoming the most valuable player in the 2002 Cup Match and also to salute Dennis Pilgrim, the Somerset colt, for his efforts over the two days.

But it is the gracelessness that was prevalent in the aftermath of the announcement that leaves a sour taste - yet another reminder of my countrymen botching an opportunity to come out smelling roses when the spotlight is cast upon them.

I find it astonishing that a club president, Colin Smith of Somerset on this occasion, can speak publicly of his disapproval of the MVP selection when his club helped to institute the process in the first place.

From my viewpoint, albeit thousands of miles across the Atlantic, comments like those made in the August 16 edition of this newspaper appear rather to be extracts from the comics.

When he says "I will have to sit down and think who we are going to be using as people who will be giving out the MVP trophy, period" I instantly query what he means by "using" because if you have a panel making decisions, they and they alone should make the decisions with no prompting required other than the happenings at the match.

The problem we have in Bermuda is bias - I experienced that first-hand when Corby Durrant, the Wolves goalkeeper, was wrongly overlooked as MVP of the Dudley Eve Trophy two-leg final because John Barry Nusum, who had scored three goals but did not match his earlier form in the tournament, was the flavour of the day - which is why the Cup Match clubs should never have entered into an agreement in the late-1990s, to submit their own most vaulable players and let a third party provide what is essentially the tie-breaker. What arrogance! And who is to say that the two most deserving persons cannot come from the same club, which is often the case.

With the present set-up, which should be abandoned posthaste, there is an extension to the match itself with the clubs pulling for their selections and crying foul if the call goes the other way.

Once I was aware of the statistical detail of this year's match, I knew immediately that Travis Smith was the leading contender but my namesake came up with "I just can't see how anybody can justify the fact that he should be MVP."

What about ten wickets, Colin? What about the fact that in first-class cricket, let alone Cup Match, a ten-wicket haul is the benchmark of bowling achievement?

In any set of statistics or averages, batsmen are feted for scoring fifties and hundreds while bowlers are recalled for feats of five wickets in an innings and ten wickets in a match.

It is preposterous to suggest that Pilgrim, whose all-round effort was commendable, can compare to the first debutant to take ten wickets in a match on turf.

Throw in the distinguished list of players to have taken ten wickets in a match in the history of the great event and the argument for anyone other than the "little man" becomes laughable.

And the quote "In no sport I have ever known - and I have watched sport for 35 years - has someone from a losing team been voted as the most valuable player'' should have been written in invisible ink.

I have not watched sport for 35 years but it was not too long ago that Aravinda De Silva, the Sri Lanka batsman, was named MVP in a losing cause while playing for Kent against Lancashire at Lord's in the 1995 Benson and Hedges Cup final.

In that match De Silva made 112 while, for the winners, Michael Atherton scored 93 and John Crawley 86 but the panel, unbiased mind you, went for the best, or most valuable, performance of the day, which is how it should be.

That is simply one example and there are countless others - Michael Jordan as MVP before the rest of the Chicago Bulls knew where the opposition basket was; Allen Iverson, of Philadelphia 76ers, as MVP, even though they were later to be overrun by Shaq, Kobe and the LA Lakers; and the ultimate, Barry Bonds and Ernie Banks as MVPs from different eras, even though neither has ever been to the World Series.

Now, come on, Colin. What sport have you really been watching for the past 35 years? The fact that it took supposed sensible people more than two weeks to decide on the MVP was more than laughable, it was ludicrous and a blemish on, what I am told, was a superbly organised event by the host club.

So, why again did sensible, well-organised people dither? Bias.

The solution. Either return the decision-making to the BCBC, and I was never entirely convinced that they were the ideal adjudicators, or trust in an independent body that is as disconnected from the Cup Match clubs as possible.

The prerequisite? A sound understanding of cricket with no regard to gender, race, colour or creed.

Now, finally, congratulations to Travis Smith, who struck a blow for those in sport of smaller stature. His progression into a significant member of the St. George's team has been long in coming - no doubt owing to a series of untimely traffic accidents - but I am sure that the Smith clan are proud indeed.

Besides, his father, Noel (Sub) Smith, needed some joy in his life after Manchester United were beaten by the might of Zalaegerszegi ... Zagga, Zagga who? Sounds likes a Beenieman-Janet Jackson compilation.

Pilgrim, as I alluded to in a previous column, is as worthy a cricketer as you are likely to find in Bermuda, given the questionable behaviour at times of some of our star turns, and I am happy that he has established himself as a force in the Somerset team.

Charlie Marshall, too, deserves credit for the manner in which he played the game but, unlike some friends whose opinions I respect dearly, I do not feel his declarations merit consideration for most valuable player.

He's the captain for crying out loud and he did what challenging captains are required to do to get the cup back. Albert Steede would not have made the same declarations and nor will Marshall in two years' time if St. George's were to be successful in the east end in 2003.

Yours in sports,

Dexter Smith,

London, England

Dear Sir,

I was somewhat disappointed, but not surprised to read the comments made by Adrian Robson who is supposed to be an authority on sports, at least that is what his working qualifications should indicate.

Many times in the last five years we have read about Mr.Robson's concern about the lack of discipline, violence, and the overall attitude of local sportsmen in Bermuda sports.

In light of this, one would have thought he would have supported my comments, which underscores the importance of discipline in sports at all levels.

But in this particular case, he chooses to jump to Randy Horton's defence. Is it because Mr.Horton is a Government Minister and that Mr.Robson is skating on slippery grounds?

When it comes to using Geoff Boycott as an example of a successful commentator, Mr.Robson uses the worst example. In fact, Mr.Robson admits that the former English player is very abrasive and rather opinionated.

I have heard, and read, that Mr.Boycott is viewed internationally as a joker, and he has very little positive comments to make about players unless they come from the "Old Country".

Mr.Boycott must be Mr.Robson's mentor, which obviously explains why the sport's editor's local editorials reflect Mr.Boycott's abrasive derogatory style.

In closing, I'll repeat as I said in my earlier article, the rules of cricket clearly state that the umpire's decision is final, and is unquestionable.

Mr. Robson needs to familiarise himself with the rules, before putting his foot where it does not belong.

Again as said before, as a former, player and captain, the Minister should be setting the example for our sporting community to follow when acting as a commentator.

N.H. Cole Simons

(Shadow Minister for Sport)

Sports Editor's note: Why is it that Cole Simons never addresses the sports issues that actually matter? There is much wrong with sport in this Island, but we never hear from the Shadow Minister on anything with any substance. Is a personal attack on the Minister for his Cup Match commentary the best he can do in a position in which he has the power to actually make things happen?