Outgoing Somerset coach Jeff Richardson has expressed his concern about the level of dedication from Bermudian cricketers .

Richardson’s frustration emanated from Somerset having to scramble around to put together a side to play the Americas Select XI when the two teams were meant to clash in a 40-overs encounter on Sunday, with Somerset expected to field their Cup Match side.

While the match did not go ahead due to inclement weather, Somerset would have fielded only five players who were involved in this year’s Annual Classic at 6 Cricket Lane.

Dominic Sabir, Jermal Proctor, Kamau Leverock, Steven Bremar Jr and reserve Antonio Darrell were the only players available and Somerset were also forced to make further changes to the side they had initially named, with Jarryd Richardson one of the players called up as a replacement.

National coach Cal Waldron also had difficulties in fielding a Bermuda Select XI for the two T20 matches at North Field during the week. In the second fixture, Bermuda fielded only ten players with Marc Taylor of Bahamas being drafted in to the team.

“Things have changed in this country when it comes to representing your club or the national cricket team,’’ Richardson told The Royal Gazette.

“It’s something that we need to have a serious look at. Guys find it easier to make themselves unavailable than to make themselves available.

“It’s something that we need to address from a higher level. It’s sad where cricket is right now and it’s on the decline at the moment.

“It’s something that I recognise and I've been trying to address. We've got to find ways of getting these guys interested in representing the country again.”

While questioning the commitment from the players, Richardson, who is stepping down from his coaching role at Somerset at the end of the season, also felt that there could have been better organisation from the Bermuda Cricket Board.

“Things are not what they used to be and, cricket doesn't have the joy that it used to bring” the former Bermuda player said.

“We've already been through our 50-overs season, that’s done and dusted. All the other matches for the Americas Select tour were T20s. Then all of a sudden, the last day of the tour it’s a 40-over match, to me it makes no sense.

“Ordinarily this would have been a BPL [Bermuda Premier League] weekend. Guys had made arrangements like going on trips because they had no cricket to play.

“Some of our guys went away with Warwick because they put a tour together during this time specifically because it was meant to be BPL week.

“If you scheduled something at the beginning of the season knowing that you were off this week, then now you’re being asked to play.”