Bermuda?s bid to become a force on the international cricket scene was never going to be an overnight success story, according to former Western Stars, Somerset Cup Match and 1994 ICC Trophy veteran Jeff Richardson.

And having had to quickly adjust to the rigorous and demands associated with making the transition from recreational to semi-professional cricket over the last eight months, national cricket squad members might be quick to agree.

But having himself sampled a dose of international cricket, Richardson ? who holds the Western Counties colts batting record (186) set in 1991 ? believes far too many demands and restrictions are being placed on a senior national team that has yet to reach their full potential.

?Cricket is an extra-curricular activity for players in this country and now all of a sudden we are asking our players to become professionals overnight and beat teams at something they have been working at for decades ? and that?s asking a lot,? Richardson told .

?On the national team?s last trip to Dubai our players went to a country where they take their cricket very seriously and have done so for decades. ?These guys (United Arab Emirates) are paid cricketers and we went there in the middle of their season with their players in top form and doing well while our guys were asked to get it together with three weeks notice.?

Bermuda were defeated in all five of their friendly limited overs matches against the UAE in Dubai last month yet Richardson feels valuable lessons would have been learnt.

?The trip to Dubai was just another good opportunity for our players to learn and absorb experience playing at a higher level on a consistent basis in the lead up to the World Cup. But as a country I think we are a bit too demanding of these guys who found themselves up against players who play the sport to put food on the table,? he added.

Richardson ? the only player ever to represent St.George?s (reserve) and Somerset in Cup Match ? also believes all contracted national team members should not have the added burden of juggling World Cup preparations with full-time work commitments.

?In a perfect world the ideal situation would be to have these guys receive some form of leave of absence such as the Governor?s aide de camp (ADC) who still has a job waiting for him when he finishes his term. And I think this should have been the same path taken for the players,? he said.

?These guys should be showing up at work in the morning at the National Sports Centre and then knocking off at 4p.m. or 5p.m.. And I think the player?s employers should be a bit more forthcoming, especially if they have employees involved in the national programme, because there is a risk these guys could be burnt out before the World Cup.

?Some of these players work at jobs that are physically demanding, work eight hours a day and then have to show up for training for another two or three hours. And before you know it people are asking why can?t this guy make any runs or has lost form.

?All these things do take a toll on the individual and our players are not going to make it happen working full-time jobs. We need to make them think and live like professionals so when they arrive in Trinidad for the World Cup they will be fully prepared.?

Instead of being quick to criticise a national team currently in the midst of a nine-game losing streak in limited overs cricket, Richardson urged his fellow compatriots to be more realistic as to the enormous uphill climb Bermuda cricket now faces.

?Nobody really understands the commitment these players are putting in at the national level and unless you have actually been there you can?t sympathise with these guys,? he said. ?And I have to agree with Arnold (chairman of national team selectors Arnold Manders) because there are a lot of people talking out there that think they know all about cricket when really their knowledge is only from watching it. They?ve never had to administer cricket, train or even play the game.?

Richardson is also pleased to see national team members now better compensated for their services. Last month saw ten national team players sign short-term semi-professional contracts with the Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB). Each of the ten contracted players will receive a monthly stipend, match fees, and a per diem allowance while on tour.

Non-contracted squad members or those sent away to cricket academies overseas will receive virtually the same financial package aside from the monthly salary, while players who are not paid by their employers while away on international duty will have their salary fully covered by the governing body.

?It?s good to see the players are being compensated and it?s definitely a step in the right direction. But whether or not it is adequate is another issue,? Richardson said.

?Obviously a lot has changed since my playing days when there were times I had to take an unpaid leave of absence in order to represent my country. But it?s great these things are now being taken into consideration because they do effect the team and the individual?s performance.?