The uncle of Somerset medium pacer Jacobi Robinson took a mighty swipe at Bermuda Cricket Board yesterday after comments made over the promising young bowler?s decision to leave the University of Port Elizabeth International Cricket Academy in South Africa earlier than originally planned.

Jeff Richardson, coach at Somerset Cricket Club, hit back at the Board, claiming their strongly-worded statement on Thursday was ?unnecessary?, and he further argued that the BCB itself be held accountable for his nephew?s medical expenses and not the player.

Robinson declared earlier this week he was leaving the prestigious academy after suffering a back injury, the treatment of which was proving too expensive for him to remain in the country.

But in a lengthy statement on Thursday, the Board responded by threatening to seek compensation for their expenses if the player returned home early.

When contacted yesterday, BCB treasurer Neil Speight confirmed Robinson had undergone a ?bone scan? which was paid for by the player himself.

?Jacobi had one bone scan and he?s not scheduled for any more. The scan that he had, he would have had to pay for that,? said Speight.

Asked whether Robinson would be reimbursed should he require additional scans, Speight replied: ?We will deal with that should it come to fruition, but I believe he has health insurance.?

However, Richardson said yesterday he believed the Board should cover all of Robinson?s medical expenses.

?If he?s having to foot the bill for these scans, then something is wrong. He shouldn?t be footing the bill and if this is the case then the Board cannot say that they are going to make him accountable because he is being held accountable by covering the cost himself,? argued Richardson.

?If there?s anybody who should be paying for it, then it should be the Board. He re-injured himself while he was away on a Board-sponsored programme. If they are going to take this strong stance if he comes back early and he?s going to be held accountable for the funds which were issued, then if he stays they should be held accountable for the funds needed to have these scans.?

Earlier this week, Robinson told ?All my money is being spent on therapy?.

According to the Board?s statement, the player?s condition was being ?monitored? by BCB officials who had held ?extensive? consultations with academy director Dr. Richard Stretch, a leading expert in bio-mechanics.

Richardson, however, argued the Board had no prior knowledge of Robinson?s physical condition until the player?s current plight appeared in Wednesday?s edition of this newspaper.

?I think those were some extremely strong comments coming from the Board and apparently they weren?t aware that this was taking place. So they aren?t aware of all of the facts either. And for them to make a statement that strong is wrong.

?Until all of the facts are known, I think Jacobi should not have made a decision and the Board should not have made those comments,? he added.

?Outside of the frustration he must be experiencing there must be some financial difficulty as well as a result of him using his own personal funds for these scans. When I was in university, once I paid my tuition, whatever rehabilitation or scans I needed was covered. It never had to come out of my pocket and he shouldn?t have to pay either. But if he?s using up all of his money on scans then how do they expect the boy to live there day-to-day.?

That aside, the former Western Stars and Somerset Cup Match batsman encouraged his nephew to remain at the academy and finish his term which is due to end early next month.

?I think he should stay. It is an opportunity for him to work on his batting and other areas of his game and take full advantage of the academy,? he urged. ?From a coaching standpoint, I?m expecting him to come back and assist me because what he?s learning over there is invaluable. And if he remains there it is going to show that he does have some fortitude and guts to fight it out and he will develop as a result.?

He added: ?The only reason he should come back is if the academy terminate his stay prematurely as a result of his injury. But if he?s not being forced by the academy then he needs to stay. It?s advantageous for him, for Bermuda and foremost it is advantageous for Somerset Cricket Club.?

Accompanying Robinson at the academy is Western Stars wicketkeeper Jekon Edness, who is due to return home early in March.