The windows of the pavilion at the National Sports Centre may need to be boarded up before the second edition of the Bermuda Smash Invitational.

Some of cricket’s biggest hitters will be on display at the tournament, which will take place from June 1 to June 8 this year and will feature 12 overseas players, treble the number in 2024.

Among those making the journey to Bermuda will be Aaron Jones, who became only the second player after Chris Gayle to hit ten or more sixes in an innings at the T20 World Cup last year when United States beat Canada.

New Zealand’s Chad Bowes, who broke the record for the fastest double century in men's List A cricket by smashing 200 off 103 balls in October will be heading to Bermuda as will Gerhard Erasmus, captain of the Namibian cricket team at the 2024 T20 World Cup.

There will also be plenty of Caribbean representation at the tournament through West Indies international spinner Yannic Cariah, Jewel Andrew, Kadeem Alleyne, Jeavor Royal and Jordan Johnson. West Indies legend Carlos Brathwaite and Raymon Reifer will also return.

While those players are set to bring fireworks on the pitch during the week, there will also be plenty going on away from the wicket with a concert featuring notable soca artists, including Lyrikal, taking place at the National Sports Centre. The inaugural Bermuda Smash Golf Tournament will also be held at Port Royal Golf Course.

The participating players and surrounding events were unveiled at a press conference at the National Sports Centre attended by Owen Darrell, Minister of Tourism, Culture and sport, Jekon Edness, one of the organisers of the event, and Annilee Martin, group marketing associate at CG Insurance, the tournament’s marquee sponsor.

Minister Darrell welcomed the return of the tournament and is delighted that the government is supporting a growing sporting event.

“Last year’s event was a resounding success, joining international players, fans and sports enthusiasts while also creating opportunities for Bermudian athletes to shine on an international stage,” Darrell said.

“The government of Bermuda through the ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sport, remains fully committed to supporting initiatives such as BSI that enhance our sports tourism sector, stimulate our economic growth and foster athletic excellence.

“This tournament is an opportunity to unite our community, celebrate our sporting heritage and demonstrate Bermuda’s capability to host international events.”

Edness spoke of what the organisers had learnt from the last event to ensure the tournament continues to strengthen.

“The event has to speak to many different walks of life and it has to have professionalism,” he said.

“We learnt from the last tournament that we had to spread it out a bit more for player welfare. Hamilton Parish won the tournament last year but had to play two games on the Sunday, so it was difficult for them.

“Most of our players are not professional so we’re spreading it out and there are now two Sundays, last year there was only one.

“We also learnt some things about logistics and bringing international players in, meeting their requirements and also ensuring that the facility is to a world class standard as regards to the pitch.”

For more information on the event visit BermudaSmash.com