The island’s cricket fans will be in clover this summer with the launch of the Bermuda Smash Invitational in May.

The international T20 competition will feature a live four-team draft on May 11, which will be followed by four days of cricket from May 15 to 19, with the tournament organisers promising live entertainment, boundary-smashing action, fierce rivalries and cricketing excellence.

Jeff Richardson, Somerset’s most successful Cup Match coach, will be taking charge of one of the teams and he is confident local players will benefit from the experience.

“This is exactly what our local players need,” Richardson said.

‘The opportunity to play with and compete against international players. They will witness first-hand their approach to the game and it will be a memorable experience.”

The tournament takes place during Heritage Month and Owen Darrell, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, has given his support to the event.

“Bermuda is the ultimate sport tourism destination,” Darrell said.

“This will combine everything special about Bermuda into one unbeatable package. Hosting it during Heritage Month and including live, local entertainment while welcoming international cricket players and lovers of cricket to our shores makes for a perfect new event for our calendar."

Stephen Outerbridge, president of Bailey’s Bay, is co-founder of the tournament and predicts it will be a huge success.

“Bermuda is inviting the world to the most picturesque weekend of cricket and live entertainment they can imagine,” he said.