As the national cricket team gear up for their final three months of World Cup qualifying preparation, I cannot help but be excited and offer words of encouragement.

Looking at the team on paper, this group of players that coach Gus Logie and the selectors have assembled is by far Bermuda's best we have to offer with the exception of OJ Pitcher and Malachi Jones, both in college.

With so much at stake in South Africa come April, Bermuda have stepped up their quest to repeat what many see as Mission Impossible II and that is to qualify for Cricket World Cup a second time.

Over the last couple of weeks the Bermuda Cricket Board have made an extremely intelligent move by contracting several players as full-time professionals. Obviously the Cricket Board realise that if we are to repeat our achievements of Ireland, 2005, we have to give our boys the best possible chance.

The late inclusion of Janeiro Tucker has boosted Bermuda's chances as they have what I consider the best Bermuda team for years. Yes I said it – they have the potential to be even better than the team that qualified last time providing they understand what is at stake.

With nine players from the last Cricket World Cup still around, the backbone of the team is solid.

Having already been to the World Cup, these players know the sacrifice and dedication that it takes to achieve such a feat. What is important is that the remaining of the training squad understand what is required of them in terms of commitment and focus.

This is one time in their lives whereby they must eat, drink and sleep cricket 24/7.

What is going to be important is that the team train with intensity and purpose. The players must be constantly challenging themselves amongst one another in all aspects of their training programme.

In actual fact, it should be those players who have never been to World Cup pushing those who have already been there because they are the ones who have yet to fulfill their dream.

On the flip side of things, those players that have already been to World Cup should not forget the feeling of victory and that should motivate them to push the new players to levels that they have never been before.

Personally, I am extremely pleased to see how the younger players have come into the team and settled really well. The recent tour of Argentina showed the quality that the young players in the team possess and with some sterling performances a few have definitely caught the selectors' eyes.

They are fearless and because of their closeness it helps with the team cohesiveness.

In addition to the young ones, it is so nice to have Glenn (The Master Blaster) Blakeney back as he brings about another level of ability and confidence. Then to have Kevin (Hurdle) and Janeiro return, the team now becomes much more balanced and experienced.

Recently, I briefly took time to talk with Dean Minors and Dwayne (Sluggo) Leverock, two players who were very influential in Bermuda qualifying before.

I asked Dean and Sluggo: "Having been to Cricket World Cup before what piece of advice could you pass on to the current group of players".

Dean replied: "The success of the 2005 team was based on the principal that every player has a very important role to play and no player is bigger than the next. In addition to this, the entire team, coaches and management must aspire to fulfil their respective roles to the highest level whereby no stone can be unturned.

Sluggo replied: "It is a hard road to travel but when you get there it is something worth working hard for."

One thing the team should feel good about is that several of our players have been to South Africa and actually played there before, so we know what the wickets are like and we know what to expect. The teams in our group are very familiar to us and on our day we can beat any one of them, including Kenya.

The format leaves a lot to be desired. Before all you had to do was finish in the top two in your group and you would qualify. Now the ICC have implemented the Super Eight after the initial stages, which is put in place to get the best teams playing against the best, thus eliminating the weaker teams.

Year 2005 was deemed as Mission Impossible as no one really gave us a chance to qualify, but we proved the critics wrong.

I want to encourage the current group of players to keep your eye on the prize. It does not matter what the public think, or what your friends think. What matters is what each and every one of you think – you have to believe.

Every single player must believe in themselves and their team-mates. Players must paint a picture in their mind and walk with it wherever they go.

Lastly, once the three months are up and the tournament is over, you will have time to rest, but as a player make sure you do everything possible to give yourself and Bermuda the best chance possible to qualify.

Motto for the week: You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them – Michael Jordan