Cricket has a rich family history in Bermuda.

As Charlie Marshall is winding down his dazzling career, his young son CJ Marshall is about to emerge onto the scene.

Here in St. Kitts CJ Marshall has blazed the St.Kitts Invitational Tournament and produced the most scintillating performances by any batsman in the tournament.

In Bermuda, we often see many fathers who have sons following in their footsteps, loving and playing the game of cricket well. John Tucker and son Janeiro Tucker, Delby Borden and son Delyone, Allan Douglas Sr and son Allan Douglas Jr, Herbie Bascome and sons O'ronde, O'keira, and O'nais are just a few examples of father son combinations.

Filling the shoes of a father that has already made his mark is probably one of the hardest things to do, as it is natural for people to make comparisons.

It is important for the young player to build his own identity and be given the opportunity to succeed without the pressures of constantly being reminded of his father's accomplishments.

Today I want to focus on Charlie Marshall and son CJ Marshall, one who has graced this country with his presence for years and years and the other who is about to become a future icon.

Charlie Marshall has been an icon both locally and internationally for many years in Bermuda cricket.

His records speak volumes with respect to his sporting ability. Having played Cup Match for some 27 years he is the current highest run getter of all times. Charlie will always be remembered as the best cover fielder Bermuda has ever produced as he even gained high recognition from sports commentator Tony Cozier.

Charlie has played cricket at all levels for Bermuda and has been the backbone of Bermuda's batting lineup for several years.

Personally, there is no other batsman that I have enjoyed batting with while playing for Bermuda, as together we have put on numerous batting partnership records on the international stage and in Cup Match. He is a fighter, mentally tough, and very passionate, hence the reason behind his success all of these years.

Then there is his son CJ Marshall who is about to materialise into one of Bermuda's finest batsmen. CJ has great hand eye co-ordination, patience, confidence and what all-great batsmen need - discipline.

This tournament in St. Kitts has been a major stepping-stone for CJ as he has broken several Bermuda records.

CJ now has the all time highest aggregate and he also has the highest individual score by any Bermudian player 96 not out.

Having been at this tournament now for two years I have not seen a better innings from any player including the other islands. Bermuda, believe me I am not being biased here.

CJ's two innings of 79 and 96 not out were brilliant, first class to say the least.

Here is an excerpt from the conversation that the assistant coach (Damon Edwards) and I shared while watching CJ bat at Warner Park (Test Ground). The bowler ran in to bowl and CJ hit a superb cover drive into the third row of the seats in the Warner Park grandstand.

Damon said, "Clay did you see that, that is by far the best shot of the tournament".

Merely two balls later CJ skipped down and played another astonishing cover drive that bounced off the roof of Warner Park grandstand and outside the stadium and Damon turned to me and said, " No, that was the shot of the tournament".

While on tour I sat and asked CJ about his experience so far and this is what he had to say.

Q: When you came here did you ever imagine you would do as well as you have done?

A: I didn't know what to expect because last year I didn't do too good. I expected the bowling to be a lot faster, but since I scored 79 against Barbados that gave me a lot of confidence.

Q: You have had two great knocks 79 against Barbados and 96 not out against Anguilla, which innings did you enjoy the most and why?

A: I enjoyed the 96 more because they bowled a lot more spinners and I like spin so I was able to score easier.

Q: What one piece of advice has your father given you regarding cricket that you will never forget?

A: He said, "Stay there and bat and do not worry about nobody else, just do your best no matter what happens".

Q: What are your future ambitions in cricket?

A: I would like to one day beat my dad's highest aggregate score in Cup Match and represent Bermuda at the highest level.

Next year Bermuda can expect to see CJ Marshall make his debut at the senior level.

The future is his, but along the way he will be faced with the fact that his father is and will always be one of the best.

Many kids have to go through this and it's what we call living in the shadow of their father. However, I feel that CJ will not live in his father's shadow for too long because he will accomplish great things in the game of cricket at an early age, thus claiming his own identity and greatness.

Bermuda, the reality is that we have a lot of talent in this country. How we bring them up and mould them off the field will determine how successful they are on the field.

It is important that we are there for our kids and support them just like Charlie has done with CJ. Success breeds success!