Cricket Board of Control president El James.

Despite losing all three of their tournament matches this year to Trinidad, the Windwards Islands and, on Sunday, to Guyana, James says he wasn't disappointed in the team's performances.

Rather than dwelling on the actual results, James said he was keen to focus on the positive things that came out of the tournament, particularly in the first two matches against Trinidad and the Windwards.

"I know there are a lot of people on the Island who view our participation in international competition as being nothing more than an exercise simply to compete -- their thinking being that we never have a chance to win anything.

But that's a lot of baloney,'' said James.

"We have to get away from that sort of thinking. I reckon Bermuda can compete against the world when it comes to anything, whether it's in the job related field, in sport or whatever. Bermudians can compete and win against the world if given the proper opportunity.

"In cricket, if we look at our youngsters up until 13, 14 and 15 years of age, we can compete against any team in the world. But after that something happens ... it's just a matter of giving the players the necessary exposure, letting them have the opportunity to do what is necessary to raise their level.'' James said he felt the Bermuda team could return from Guyana with their heads held high.

He believed the first game against Trinidad, who won by seven wickets, could have been much closer had star batsman Brian Lara not been dropped twice.

"We were competitive in that match,'' James insisted. "Anything could have happened had we not dropped Lara when they were 60 for three. To go on and lose by seven wickets was no disgrace.

"The positive things that came out of that game should have been emphasised.

On a damp wicket our batsmen managed to reach triple figures and then, against a formidable batting line-up that included the world's top batsman, we let them off the hook when we really could have made them sweat it out.'' James pointed to the encouraging performances of national team debutants Dennis Archer and Keith Wainwright. And he said veteran Dexter Smith also merited praise.

Several of the older players on the squad "did Bermuda proud'', said James.

And he felt it was important to retain these players to help form the nucleus of the squad over the new few years which would be replenished with youngsters.

However, the team's shortcomings, he said, could not be completely overlooked, particularly the batsmen's inability to master slow bowling.

"We have a problem with spin bowlers that has to be addressed. Our openers got off to good starts against some of the best pace bowling in the world during the first two games, but the spinners were allowed to come and put a halt to whatever charge that we were making at the time.'' Meanwhile, James said Bermuda Cricket Board of Control's plan to revive their sport through a well organised junior programme remained on track. "We needed to put a halt to the decline when we took over the administration of cricket.

Now there's only one way to go and it's up. The senior players in the sport and those coming along need encouragement and support of the public.

"Look at Sri Lanka, they came from nowhere and made themselves a power in world cricket. But you have to take some licks, learn a few lessons along the way before you become a world power. We have to take our time, ride the bumps but pull together to ensure that progress is being made while we work on our development.''