The head of development at the International Cricket Council has hinted Bermuda’s One-Day International status could be in jeopardy if the Island is not in a position to host international matches by next summer.

Australian Richard Done said yesterday he was “surprised” there had still been no progress on the square at the National Sports Centre since his last visit a year ago — pointing out that Bermuda are the only country out of the 16 ODI nations not in possession of an accredited ground.

The ICC’s high performance manager was on the Island this week meeting with Bermuda Cricket Board to map out the national team’s programme in the lead-up to the World Cup qualifying tournament (formerly the ICC Trophy) to be held in Malaysia in 2009.

“It’s been 12 months since my last visit to the Island and we’re still in exactly the same position with regards to the square at the National Sports Centre,” he said.

“That’s a little disappointing to be honest but I’m encouraged by the news that the Government appears to be looking seriously at the possibility of importing soil.

“Canada, Ireland, Scotland, Kenya and Canada have all had grounds accredited in the past 12 months — that’s in recognition of the fact that ODI status carries with at an obligation to have grounds on which ODIs can be played.

“From my perspective it’s probably become more important now than it was 12 months ago for Bermuda to have an accredited ground because without one, attempting to re-qualify for the World Cup in 2009 is going to be much harder.

“As far as I’m concerned this has to be top of the priority list because from June next year, Bermuda are scheduled to host three Intercontinental Cup matches as well as a whole host of ODIs as well.”

Asked what the ICC’s response might be if the Island was still not in a position to host those matches Done said: “It hasn’t been discussed at this point, the games will probably have to be played elsewhere — though what I would say is there is a presumption that those with ODI status should be able to host ODIs, and so it’s crucial for Bermuda’s future status that they have the necessary facility available.”

Meanwhile, Done insisted he is doing all he can to ensure the national side have a busy and competitive fixture list in the lead up to 2009.

The Australian said he agreed with the argument that Bermuda needed to be playing more regularly against quality opposition — believing the best way to do this would be to forge closer cricketing links with the Caribbean islands.

“I’ve spent a lot of time since I arrived talking to Gus (Logie), Neil (Speight) and Irving (Romaine) identifying the type of opposition Bermuda should be playing against and one of the areas under discussion is the possibility of organising fixtures against the best teams in the West Indies,” he said.

“This is something we’re looking at for both Bermuda and Canada and in the programme we’re putting together we’re looking at fitting in games against the likes of Trinidad and Barbados in around February, March and April of next year.

“That I think would work very well in terms of getting Bermuda exposed to quality cricket. What I would say though is that the programme of ODIs is still very important from an ICC perspective and any games in the Caribbean would only supplement what we have already laid on through the high performance programme.

“Between the end of the last World Cup and the beginning of 2006 the Associate nations were involved in only seven ODIs. From the beginning of 2006 until the start of the last World Cup there were 61 ODIs played involving Associate nations, of which Bermuda played in 22.

“Four of those (Zimbabwe three times and Bangladesh once) were against Full Member nations, which is a number we will definitely look to increase.

“Again though it comes down to having a facility . . . if Bermuda had a first-class ground, a good wicket and good practice facilities it would be fairly easy to convince some of the bigger countries to come here to train and play games against the national side.

“It’s starting to happen in other Associate countries already. On the back of Ireland’s success at the World Cup, they’re now hosting both South Africa and India this summer while the West Indies are scheduled to tour there as well. Scotland are also 95 percent certain of playing against Pakistan at home in early July.

“So it’s starting to get there and Bermuda could well have the same opportunities if they get the pitch sorted out.”

From a grassroots perspective, Done said because of the retirement of several big-name players from the national set-up, “talent development” would become even more of a priority for Bermuda — particularly given the Island’s relatively small player pool.

Done revealed the ICC intended to host a three-week development camp in Bermuda this year for a dozen or so of the best young players — adding he had also been encouraged by the rapid growth of junior cricket on the Island.

Backed by an array of corporate sponsors, the BCB have now established junior leagues at the Under-10, Under-13 and Under-16 levels.

“To see Bermuda now has an Under-10 league with as many as ten teams in it is fantastic and very important for future development of cricket here,” Done said.

“Talent development has got to be a very big priority given the limited number of players you’ve got to pick from and with players like Clay Smith and Dean Minors — two linchpins of the national side — having recently retired, identifying those that can fill their shoes both now and in the future is going to be critical.”