David Furlonge has travelled to the island to put Warwick Cricket Academy players through their paces during a four-day training camp that concluded on Friday.

The former Trinidad and Tobago opening batsman and coach is relishing the opportunity to share his expertise with some the island’s grass roots players and is encouraged by the progress the boys and girls in attendance, ranging in ages from 7 to 17, have made.

“It's been great to see the improvement over just four days, even with the seven to nine-year-olds,” Furlonge told The Royal Gazette. “We've played four games and it has been excellent to see the players execute the drills we do prior to the match.

“The youngsters enjoyed themselves and that's the main thing because once they enjoy themselves then they will improve.

“They have some good talent here in Bermuda that could develop over the next few years. We have two girls that I am impressed with so maybe there's a future in girls cricket.

“I have seen some exceptional talent, particularly among the 15-year-olds. I think Bermuda's cricket is in good hands with these youngsters and it's just about continuing to develop them.

“When I leave I hope the players will have learnt something to help develop their game because to me it's all about that. I'm back into development now after being with the Trinidad side for the last five years, which I prefer to the Trinidad duties.”

Furlonge, who serves as manager and coach of Trinidadian side Queen’s Park Cricket Club, was assisted by local coaches Janeiro Tucker and Simon Jones, as well as Warwick Cricket Academy technical director Richard Todd, who has termed the camp as a roaring success.

“It has been an amazing week of cricket working with the various age groups. The camp is an ideal preparation for the start of the upcoming season,” he said.

“The players have been engaged in drills through the various aspects of cricket. They have had the opportunity to play games throughout the week to put skills into practice.

“Having the feedback from experienced coaches like David Furlonge, Janeiro Tucker and Simon Jones has been valuable to providing insight in the various areas of specialisation.

“To observe the growth and progress of each player this week has been pleasing, and we are looking forward to future programming of camps and tours to continue the development of youth cricket in Bermuda.”

Furlonge, 66, is no stranger to the island having toured here in 1977 with his senior national team laden with West Indies players and future West Indies player and Bermuda coach Gus Logie.

“I came here with the Trinidad team captained by Derryck Murray and we also had Bernard Julien, Rangy Nanan, Richard Gabriel, Inshan Ali and then Gus Logie and myself, who were two 19-year-old youngsters at the time,” Furlonge recalled. “We had just finished playing in the under-19 regional tournament and the Trinidad Board decided to bring us along.

“I think it was a three or four-game tournament and I got injured in the first game, so I didn't play after that. I split my webbing trying to take catch on the boundary but it was a good experience.”

Logie, who resides on island and coached Bermuda to the 2007 ICC World Cup, also fondly recalls the tour.

“We stayed up at the Greenes’ residence in Southampton and played games at Southampton Oval against the Raynors, George Rock, Noel Gibbons, Colin Blades and quite a few of the big-name players,” he said. “Those were some of the names I certainly remember quite fondly and it was fun memories and lovely times.

“It was really hard cricket because you had some really, really good players and I remember George Rock bowling fast.”

Logie, who made 52 Test and 158 one-day international appearances for West Indies and also coached them to the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy title, is delighted to be reunited with his compatriot and former team-mate.

“It was nice to meet up with David again. We had a nice chat and reminisced about both coming here as youngsters,” he added.

“I remember coming off the flight and looking around and seeing how colourful the place was. I said to myself it was like watching colour TV. This was my first impression not long before going into the heart of Bermuda and seeing the lovely parks and beautiful beaches.”