My, how time has flown by. A decade ago, the Bermuda cricket team made history by qualifying for the 2007 World Cup.

As the day approaches I’m sure many members of that team will reflect on the incredible feeling that they shared on July 7, 2005, which will always be remembered in the history of Bermuda cricket.

Two months ago those players met in a mini celebration of that remarkable feat, but some members of the team thought that just wasn’t enough. The team is presently planning an end-of-season cocktail reception to be followed by a game to recognise the ten-year anniversary of our World Cup qualification.

I want to take you back in time to reflect on how the team prepared, qualified and celebrated, as well as share some of the players’ reflections on that magical moment.

As preparations started for the 2005 qualifiers, I was given the honour of captaining the team. I recall giving Albert Steede and Dean Minors a call begging them to come out of retirement as I felt this was our best opportunity to qualify and they both obliged.

Realising what we wanted to accomplish, the players made a promise to each other that we would train harder than ever to make this dream of qualifying a reality.

I talked my brother Wendell into serving as the interim coach for three months. Shortly after, Gus Logie was appointed as full-time coach and he would drill us like never before.

This was the first time any of us had been with a coach who would meet us one-on-one during our lunch breaks or any time that we had free, to train extra outside of the regular team sessions.

Players loved these sessions because they were often very technical, but they also dreaded them as Gus would often push players beyond their comfort zone.

The team went to Trinidad for extra training and were introduced to a top fitness trainer. Although he made fitness fun, he worked us, but through it all we built team unity and we all drove each other to continue pushing ourselves.

Gus worked players over day in, day out in the indoor nets. I remember Irving Romaine and Janeiro Tucker coming out on one session saying, “he is trying to kill us”, as they were sweating profusely.

Prior to heading to Ireland, the team visited Pastor (Vernon) Lambe at First Church of God and he brought the few players who attended forward. He prayed over us and said, “when two or more hands come together in prayer for something, it will be done”. And the rest is history.

We travelled to England as a final tune-up, as the conditions were very similar to Ireland, where the tournament was to be held. Gus sat us down for a very emotional meeting, as players reflected on how much qualifying would mean to us and our country.

The team arrived in Ireland at 4am and Gus told the team to be down in the lobby for a 6am run. The team looked at him like he was crazy, but he didn’t stutter or repeat himself. You can hear guys mumbling, “Is he serious?”

When 6am came the entire team was in the lobby ready for the run in what was obviously a test of character.

As the tournament started, we would face the home team and favourites in our group, Ireland, and they thrashed us. This game was particularly bad for me as I tore my hamstring attempting a quick single with Albert.

Months of dreaming and training ended for me in minutes. Words couldn’t describe how I felt, but fortunately Gus fought to keep me there with the team. If management had their way I would have been on the next plane home. After our loss to Ireland we realised we had to adjust our tactics, as early in the innings the ball swung around immensely, even more than in England.

Janeiro stepped in and took over the captaincy in my absence. After that, game by game, we grew in strength, defeating the UAE, then Denmark. Our game against Uganda got rained out, which set up a do-or-die match with United States. A win would lead to qualification, but a defeat could see us missing out to UAE.

The US won the toss and sent us in to bat. The game started slowly and was in the balance until Janeiro came to the wicket.

He produced an astonishing display of batting, scoring 132 runs off 88 balls and was aided by Dean Minors who scored 41 in a match-changing partnership of 118. Bermuda scored 311 runs, our highest total of the tournament.

The game was left in the bowlers’ hands. Saleem Mukuddem got a few early wickets and then the ever-reliable Dwayne Leverock did the damage in the middle, claiming four wickets for a mere 39 runs.

However, the magical moment came when Janeiro took the ball.

The batsmen hit the ball airborne a good five feet to Albert’s right and he took a spectacular diving catch.

As he landed, we all paused to make sure he still held on to it. As he rose with the ball in his hand the team all jumped for joy. Gus and I, along with the rest of the substitutes all swarmed the field.

I can recall Hasan Durham and Jermaine Postlethwaite also running onto the field as they were there witnessing this historic moment.

That feeling was, and still is, indescribable. Grown men were crying tears of joy. The changing room celebrations were moments to cherish for the rest of our lives.

Now, as the date approaches, one can’t help but reflect upon that magical moment. Talking with some players this week, they said that they can remember it clearly, as if it happened yesterday.

Irving Romaine: When Gus Logie predicted the exact score 311 before the game against the US because he had a dream the night before. That was amazing!

Lionel Cann: Having been denied the opportunity so many times to play in the ICC tournament, knowing I was part of the missing link, it was the ultimate satisfaction to qualify and play a significant role in the team.

To reach the pinnacle of the sport you love can only sometimes be a dream, but words can never explain what it feels like the live the dream.

Ryan Steede: To be around and play with such awesome players was a blessing. To be given an opportunity to be among one of the best, if not the best, teams to grace the Island was a great accomplishment.

Janeiro Tucker: This team did everything together, we were a family, all for one and one for all.

To be part of that World Cup team topped off my cricket career as we reached the pinnacle of Bermuda cricket history.

Dwayne Leverock: I was happy to play with a core of players who stuck together through ups and downs, but stayed strong and pulled each other along. I enjoyed every moment of our journey and when we qualified I was so happy.

Dean Minors: I am proud to say that my journey in life involved a group of guys that were like brothers. Through the experience I came to understand teamwork, work ethic, and fun.

Soon the team’s spokesperson, Lionel Cann, will be making an announcement about our cocktail reception and match. It would be nice to see the cricketing fraternity support these events.

We would like to thank everybody who played a part in making this dream a reality. July 7, 2005 will always be remembered as the day Bermuda shocked the world of cricket and qualified for World Cup.

Quote of the week: When a team outgrows individual performance and learns team confidence, excellence becomes a reality — Joe Paterno