Cal Waldron has been appointed interim head coach and tasked with preparing the Bermuda squad for the ICC Cricket World Challenge League B Tournament in Uganda, next month.

Waldron will head up a team of four coaches, which includes Somerset Cricket Club stalwart Reggie Tucker, former Bermuda and Cup Match star Ricky Hill and Elliot Wilson, a former Worcestershire county player who is married to a Bermudian and resides on island.

Wilson made his first-team debut for Worcestershire In July 1998 and made his first-team debut for Worcestershire against Northamptonshire in a tied game in the AXA League.

Later that month he scored 61 opening the batting in another one-day match against world champions Sri Lanka, and two days later was selected to make his first-class debut against Yorkshire.

In nine first-class matches in 1999, Wilson scored 536 runs at an average of 35.73, including a career best 116 against Middlesex and three further half centuries.

In 2000, he was a regular selection for his county, playing 17 first-class games, and scoring two further centuries.

Wilson spent the winter playing in Australia, but was forced to return home with a spinal infection.

The injury led to a significant amount of time out of the game and eventually forced his retirement from the game following a very brief attempt at a return in 2003.

The appointments of the coaches come after an extensive application and vetting process for the new senior head coach position previously held by Herbie Bascome.

Bascome was one of the applicants for the post after the Board sought applicants but he was not reappointed.

The Bermuda Cricket Board said in a press release yesterday that “decisions have been made in preparation for long-term commitments as stated in the BCB’s 2022-2026 strategic plan.

“This will include the appointment of a short-term international coach pending approval.”

Waldron is the coach of PHC and also served as an umpire. He assisted Arnold Manders in coaching the Bermuda under-19 team for the past three years.

“After extensive discussions with the BCB, my position in the national programme has been reassigned to now lead the men’s national team for their upcoming commitments for 2022.” Waldron said.

“I am looking forward to the opportunity and coaching development this will afford me.

“I, along with the other coaches, will begin the process of implementing plans, strategies and execution of events that will need to be done to have the team readied and prepared for their tournaments.

“Once again, many thanks to the High-Performance Committee for this opportunity.”

According to the BCB’s strategic plan, the head coach is responsible for the development of the BCB’s senior men’s team, to produce consistent and winning performances at ICC Americas, CWCL and all ICC T20 levels through the design and delivery of a well-structured and progressive coaching programme.

They will effectively deploy resources and implement tactical initiatives to ensure the achievement of superior match results and top placement in all competitions while managing the on and off-field development of current and new players through health and advanced training programmes.

Allan Douglas, the BCB High-Performance Committee chairman, stated: “This tour opens the door for new persons in all departments of cricket to positively make an impact.

“There are new, bright and eager faces looking to get a bite of the apple. This is not a sprint, but a journey to the T20 Qualifiers next year.

“The national team will play at least 14 matches by the end of August alone and the BCB has other plans set for the winter.

“The process has been an eye-opening revelation that has galvanised policies and procedures for the betterment of Bermuda cricket.”

Tucker holds a level three qualification and has also been involved in the national set-up previously, while Hill has a level two, having made a name for himself at international level as an outstanding opening batsman.

“We’ve got a few more coaches who we want to get up to the elite level, because that’s where we need coaches to be,” said Manders, the BCB president.

“Some have been unable to do it because of work commitments or personal commitments but we will continue to promote improving the coaches in Bermuda.

“It’s good to have Ricky on board as he has played at the international level.”

Manders said it will be a challenging and exciting year for Bermuda at the international level as the team kicks off this year’s competition in Uganda from June 14 to 28 in a round robin tournament that will be a gateway to qualification for the 2023 World Cup.

Bermuda will be up against Uganda, Hong Kong, Italy, Jersey and Kenya in the six-team tournament.

The national squad is also set to compete in the World Challenge League in Jersey in August.

“The next ten months will be a very busy time for Bermuda Cricket with the two CWCL competitions,” Manders said in the statement.

“In early 2023 the Americas T20 regional tournament will be held which will be an ideal opportunity for Bermuda to qualify for the T20 World Cup.

“We are very excited to get the senior men’s preparation started and happy to announce Cal Waldron as the Interim head coach. Mr Waldron has been rewarded by the BCB for just recently passing his elite certification.

“The board has been extremely meticulous in its deliberation in choosing our coach and we believe that our players will be just as excited.”