Reon King, the former West Indies fast bowler, hailed Bermuda’s excellent display at the ICC T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier, which the island hosted.

King, who served as an ICC match referee at the round-robin tournament, which included the United States, Canada and Cayman Islands, was impressed by the manner in which Herbie Bascome’s team went about their task of achieving their primary objective, of progressing to the ICC T20 World Global Qualifier in Dubai, in October and November.

“I think the resilience and tenacity of Bermuda stood out for me,” King said. “I think they made use of the little that they have, certainly supported by the crowd at White Hill Field.”

Bermuda secured second place behind winners Canada with both countries securing their berths in the United Arab Emirates as the tournament’s top two finishers.

“I think it was a wonderful tournament,” King added.

“Canada and USA were obviously the powerhouses with their experience. USA had just been promoted to ODI status and Canada had a bone to pick with them, so you had good rivalry.

“Bermuda played very well at home and Cayman Islands didn’t disgrace themselves, so I think it was a very good tournament for all four teams.

“Certainly there were a lot of positives. Obviously there’s some areas where the teams need to tighten up on, and with experience and more opportunities that will certainly happen.”

King was making his first visit to Bermuda, with the island leaving a glowing impression on him.

“It is a very beautiful, nice island,” he said. “Very small, very friendly people.

“We received a lot of support, especially from the umpiring fraternity that came and assisted us. Very keen fellows in terms of some of the umpires that worked with us as fourth officials.”

Born and raised in Guyana, King claimed 53 wickets in 19 Test appearances and a further 76 ODI wickets for the West Indies between 1998 and 2005.

While he laments the West Indies’ struggles of late, he still holds hope that better days lay ahead under the new administration headed by president and former St Kitts and Nevis tourism minister Richard Skerritt.

“It’s no shame in hiding with regards to how I feel and lot of people feel over West Indies cricket, we’re certainly disappointed,” King said.

“I think the guys are trying. It’s a lot more than the players that needs to be looked at. If you want to point accusing fingers there’s a lot more to point at.

“Hopefully, the new administration in now can sit down and get things going and the cricket in the right direction.”

n Three of Bermuda’s players have been named among the best XI players from the ICC T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier, by website DreamCricket.com.

Having enjoyed eye-catching victories over United States and Cayman Islands, as well as claiming a point in one of their two matches against Canada, three of Bermuda’s players caught the attention of the website, with Delray Rawlins and Okera and Onias Bascome included in the best XI.

Sussex all-rounder Rawlins, started the tournament in style with a man-of-the-match in Bermuda’s six-run win over USA, top-scoring with 63 in Bermuda’s total of 141 for 7, before taking two key catches on the boundary the wickets of Aaron Jones and Hayden Walsh Jr. He followed that up by also dismissing Timroy Allen as Bermuda secured an impressive opening day scalp.

Okera Bascome finished the tournament as the leading scorer among wicketkeepers with 93 runs at a strike rate of 124.67.

His best effort came against USA on match day four when he blitzed Saurabh Netravalkar and Timroy Allen in the Powerplay, making 35 off 16 balls to put the home side in great position to chase down a target of 142 to earn their first trip to the T20 World Cup Qualifier since 2013.

Onias Bascome, the younger of the Bascome brothers was a handful to manage on both sides of the ball. He was Bermuda’s leading wicket-taker with eight, including 4 for 10 in a man-of-the-match effort against Cayman Islands.

He contributed against the bigger nations too, with 3 for 32 in the deciding match against US that included Steven Taylor, Timroy Allen and Cameron Gannon. With the bat, he also scored 93 runs from the middle-lower during the week.