After Parliament reconvenes today we can expect some lively debate on the issue of amending regulations which have, for far too long prevented, Bermuda from hosting international cricket.

Whether that debate transpires today or at some future House session remains to be seen, but it’s clear we simply can’t waste any more time on resolving a problem which is crucial to the development of the sport.

Should Sports Minister Randy Horton be successful in forcing through his proposal, grounds staff at the National Sports Centre will be given the green light to import the type of soil deemed by experts as necessary to prepare a first-class wicket.

However, judging from the comments made yesterday by acting shadow Environment Minister John Barritt, himself a keen cricket fan, such a course of action would amount to environmental suicide.

Barritt said he would do everything in his power to resist the changes, arguing that the importation of soil could pose an enormous threat to the environment.

Horton told this newspaper a day earlier: “Once we’re in a position to proceed, the soil we purchase will be treated at both ends to ensure there are no harmful environmental repercussions.”

Who’s right?

Who knows?

The problem of perfecting a first-class wicket at the NSC has been with us for more than three years. We’re no closer to finding a solution than we were before qualifying for the World Cup.

Why the debate continues to drag on, and why it’s taking so long to find an answer that will please everyone, nobody seems able to explain. It really shouldn’t be that difficult, or even controversial.

But at this point, the last thing cricket needs is another drawn-out public feud over what’s best, when the future of the sport hinges crucially on our ability to host international matches.

Even if Horton gets his way, he’s suggested this summer might still be too soon to complete a new square and have it ready for incoming tours.

It seems only the national team’s appearance at the recent World Cup, when their lack of international experience was so cruelly exposed to millions of TV viewers around the globe, proved sufficient to ignite some kind of action on an issue that nobody appeared willing to tackle throughout the entire build-up to the tournament.

Since 2003, we’ve known what was required. We’ve had experts from overseas tell us exactly what was wrong with the current pitch and how the problem could be rectified.

Clearly not everybody, Barritt included, agrees with those opinions.

And if they did, one has to ask why that same soil Horton now intends to bring in couldn’t have been imported and treated in the same way three years ago. Why’s it taken so long to get to this point?

What’s also evident is that the lack of a home facility — Bermuda are the only country of 16 who competed in the World Cup unable to play international cricket in their own back yard — has cost us dearly, and if Horton’s predictions are correct, will continue to do so for at least another year.

As we were told by so many commentators and observers in Trinidad, Bermuda’s geographical position, so often cited as a disadvantage in our pursuit of sporting excellence, actually works to our advantage in cricket.

Given Bermuda’s one-day international status, touring Test sides on their way in and out of the West Indies would almost certainly take the opportunity to stop off here — were the facilities up to scratch.

But more importantly a home venue offers Bermuda Cricket Board so many more options in the development of a national side.

Rather, through the costs involved, having to restrict a squad to 15 players or less for every venture overseas, a series of home games opens up the door to several more players in need of international experience.

It allows coach Gus Logie to widen his net, to experiment with young players, and offer more opportunities to those on the fringe but not quite able to break into a touring squad.

And of equal significance, it allows the Bermuda public to observe first-hand the progression of a team in whom we’ve all heavily invested.

But when will we see this first home international?

Judging from Horton’s comments and Barrit’s retort, it may not be this year.

And next year leaves just another 12 months to prepare for 2009 World Cup qualifying.

Will that be soon enough?

* * * *

THERE was nothing too shabby about the 1-0 defeats Bermuda’s first pro football side, the Hogges, suffered in their opening foray in the United Soccer League against Harrisburg last weekend.

But by all accounts, the home team were outplayed and the scoreline somewhat flattering.

That, perhaps, wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Had the Hogges won, there are some who would continue to believe we can survive in the professional ranks on talent alone.

Thankfully, team owners Shaun Goater and Kyle Lightbourne have seen enough in their own pro careers to realise that won’t be the case. They, more than most, appreciate the team’s shortcomings and understand what’s required if their side’s to be successful at this level.

A long, hard road awaits, and if the Hogges can finish this opening season anywhere outside the bottom three, it’ll be a case of mission accomplished.

— ADRIAN ROBSON