Last weekend there were some very one-sided T20 games, which makes me wonder whether the Lindo’s T20 tournament should have been split into two divisions, just like the 50-overs league.

With the national team preparing for a Division Three tournament next month, we must always be looking to challenge them against good opposition. As a country, we must look to maintain our standard and try to improve upon it, which means improving the weaker players, however it needs to be done.

When one looks at our modern-day cricketer, you see several who are lacking the basic fundamentals. Hence the reason why scores are regularly low and very few have scored hundreds this season. However, we are asking them to play a version of cricket that requires one to be unorthodox at times or, should I say, overly aggressive, even though they are not fundamentally sound yet as cricketers.

It does not surprise me to see that Warwick, a team filled with young players, have opted to remove their team from the T20 tournament. It is obvious that their coach, Lionel Cann, does not wish his teenagers to be exposed to such “swashbuckling” cricket, as he is trying to ensure that they learn the basics of the game first.

Some of the results from last weekend were startling: Southampton Rangers 148 for seven, while Somerset Bridge were all out for 40; Devonshire Rec all out for 32 against St David’s; PHC 61 all out with eight men. Those games clearly show the vast difference between teams and clearly indicate that all cricket should be divided into two divisions so that games are evenly contested.

Also, with the 50-overs league finished, having the T20 now is somewhat prolonging the season and several teams are struggling to field full complement. If they are fielding a full team, they are not at full strength. Clearly this is not the purpose of the T20 tournament. Would it not make more sense to play T20 on some Saturdays and maybe one or two nights during the season? That way, once the 50-overs season is done, you can play the semi-finals and finals the next weekend.

At the end of the day, it is up to the clubs because it is they who direct the Bermuda Cricket Board. Looking back over the past few years, it seems like we just keep chopping and changing in trying to find a formula that best suits us. The time for trial and error is over. We must put a system in place that we feel will improve cricket over the next five years. One thing I would like to see us do in the future is introduce an Under-25 Open League at the beginning of the season. Since the season has not been starting until mid-May, why can’t we get an Open league running, starting mid-April, with all games played on concrete pitches, until such time all grounds are ready. As not all teams may have enough under-25 players, each club could use a maximum of four over-age players. This tournament would be based solely on the longer version of the game, giving players more opportunities and time to develop their craft.

We simply cannot go on playing 50-overs cricket and T20 cricket and expect our young players to develop. Sorry, but it just will not happen, especially since we are seeing fewer and fewer young talented cricketers who love the game outright. I am a strong believer that you can have all the talent in the world, but without passion for your sport, you will never reach the top, or be as good as you can possibly be.

It is time that all the clubs and BCB come together to figure out what is best for Bermuda going forward — and I emphasise Bermuda. There are some clubs concerned only about their own best interest, but they need to be more concerned about cricket as a whole. Cricket has taken a huge plunge over recent years and it is up to every individual in cricket, and around cricket, to help to bring us back to a respectable standard.

Quote of the week: “When you are passionate, you always have your destination in sight and you are not distracted by obstacles. Because you love what you are pursuing, things like rejection and setbacks will not hinder you in your pursuit. You believe that nothing can stop you!” – Mike Krzyzewski