International cricket will make some players, while it will destroy others. It has been discussed for several years now about how majority of Bermuda players can perform admirably domestically, but when they go overseas they struggle to perform anywhere near their best. Why is that?

Bermudians are known to be some of the most gifted players around, but what are the key ingredients that we are yearning for or are in need of? When you look at a guy such as AB de Villiers, the South Africa one-day captain, who scored a mesmerising 149 off 44 balls against West Indies this week, it makes you realise that there is another level of greatness out there.

To become such an exceptional talent is an aspiration for many, but the question that we really need to know is, what do these players do that makes them so exceptional at the higher level?

De Villiers trains five to six days during pre-season on his fitness, which includes long runs and intense workout routines. Fitness is a key element for him, as cricket involves sprinting, leaping, jumping and turning, and it also helps the mental aspect of his game.

Looking back at Bermuda’s tour to Malaysia, not one player can say that they performed anywhere near their best, with the exception of young Christian Burgess.

Sadly, several of the senior players did train hard before the tour, but the overall preparations probably hindered them mentally, thus resulting in poor performances.

There are so many facets to cricket. You can be doing so many things right, but if you are doing one or two other things wrong, it can stifle your performance.

Bermuda cricketers are good, but we have to be careful about the way we “big up” our players, making them think they are better than what they really are. Players should get a reputation from producing consistently on all levels, not just domestically.

It is no secret that very few Bermuda players have performed consistently at a higher level and here are a few reasons why:

• 1, Poor training habits: Meaning we do not train regularly, nor do we train consistently with a high level of intensity.

I watched South Africa warming up for a game doing fielding practice some years ago and they trained as if they were in a match. The intensity level that they displayed during their warm-up was stunning.

2, We are not fit: How many tours have Bermuda gone on where players are constantly breaking down because of injuries, which revolves around not being able to manage the workload that is required at that level.

3, Lack attention to detail: At the higher level, they break down the game to the smallest detail and players are clued in, thus knowing their individual role and how to execute a game plan.

4, Technically we are poor: At the club level, we are not exposed as much. However, international bowlers take one or two overs to figure out a plan of how to bowl to us and expose weaknesses.

5, Mentally, we are weak: Bowlers at the higher level are aggressive and accurate. Bermuda players are used to dominating, but when their backs are up against the wall, they don’t know how to grind and fight. How often have you seen a Bermuda team be 20 for four and still go on and score 200 runs? Hardly ever!

Can you recall last year’s Eastern Counties when Dion Stovell scored a century runs against Bailey’s Bay? I said that was one of the best innings I have ever witnessed locally, as Cleveland were struggling at 20 for four.

Our players generally do not handle pressure well. These things need to be trained over and over in game-scenario situations, thus ensuring that players know how to execute a game plan if and when they are put into pressure situations.

Is it time for Bermuda to adopt a model of cricket and try to make it our own, whether it is the Australian way or the South African way.

Standards need to be set across the board and players have to start meeting the standards or risk being excluded. For far too long, we have allowed mediocrity to creep in and it has slowly ruined us.

We have to adapt a no-nonsense training mentality: you come in to work and work hard. You leave in a sweat knowing you have had a good workout and you look forward to the next session. Yes, we have jobs, but we must figure out how we can balance work and training, so that we can maximise our talent.

There is a lot of work to be done, as the five reasons I listed need to be addressed thoroughly. Then and only then will we start to see a turnaround in Bermuda cricket.

Change the mentality of the players and you will change the quality of our cricket.