Reggie Pearman has described Bermuda?s post-World Cup qualification period as ?a whole new world?.

And the Bermuda Cricket Board president, travelling with the team to the Stanford 20-20 tournament in Antigua, is among an increasing number in the Island contingent who feel that there is a point to be made in tonight?s game against the Jamaicans.

?There are people who still think us qualifying for the World Cup was a fluke,? said Pearman, who was ?unsure? if Bermuda would have been invited to the Stanford tournament had they not earned their spot in the West Indies cricketfest next year.

?We know it?s not and this is another chance for us to prove that to other people. Cricket in Bermuda changed enormously when we qualified in Ireland, our players are playing in a whole new world and other people are going to have to get used to us being in it.

?I think we have a very good team and Jamaica will find that out tomorrow.?

Pearman, who admitted his Board now had a ?great responsibility? because of the $11 million Government grant and Bermuda?s new international status in the game, admitted one of his biggest frustrations was the lack of a facility on the Island able to accommodate international fixtures.

?I don?t think Bermuda has actually fully realised what the cricket team has done and is doing,? continued Pearman, who along with acting Sports Minister Terry Lister watched Antigua?s victory at the Stanford Cricket Ground on Wednesday night along with 4,000 screaming locals.

?And I can tell you it really hurts me that we can?t play games in Bermuda. It hurts me that people in Bermuda don?t get to see Bermuda play and see what they are doing.

?It is a frustrating situation to be in our new position in world cricket and not even be able to play our games at home.

?We are asking Bermuda to rally behind us, we are asking business and Government and the players? families and the people in general to be with us and it is a shame that they can?t watch the team because that would help them join with us in what we are trying to do both for this World Cup and the next one.?