yesterday spoke out on the forced resignations of Bermuda Cricket Board of Control's leaders.

And the general consensus was that a change in administration was necessary to halt the sport's declining standards.

Many of those the The Royal Gazette spoke to said they hoped that the new administrators would begin immediately to steer cricket on a new course.

But who takes over from president Ed Bailey and his executive committee won't be known until after a special meeting at Warwick Workmen's Club on Monday, starting at 7.00 p.m.

The following are a selection of comments from those involved in the sport: Richard Austin (Police player): "It's been fairly documented that there has been an apparent failing which the outgoing administration could have responded to and never did. Looking at all aspects, domestic and international cricket, there have been too many calls from various quarters for a change and one had to be made. I only hope that the new administration do not fall into the same trap as those leaving.'' *** Arnold Manders (Western Stars): "I hope the new group realise that the job at hand for them is a big one and I wish them the best. I think Bermuda really needs a national coach and a development officer, but we need funds to do that. I hope sponsors will come in and help out.'' *** St.Clair (Brinky) Tucker (ex-player): "I am not surprised by their decision to quit. One or two people are playing with words and referring to it as retirement but it was clearly forced resignation. I regard some of the comments by those leaving as being arrogant when they refer to the quality of the incoming committee ... things like nothing will happen or very little will happen. From my knowledge, all of the potential new executives have had previous experience serving on the Board. The changes are a plus for cricket, it can't go any way but up. I must state that Ed Bailey has done some good for cricket, but the time has come for a change and I, among many others, am going to volunteer my services in any way, shape or form the committee sees fit to use me.'' *** Dexter Smith (Devonshire Rec. player): "Ed Bailey would not have stayed in the job as long as he did if he did not wish to advance the sport. He opened several doors to international cricket for Bermuda but, to his detriment, we are being carried through those doors on stretchers because of the lack of a thriving domestic programme at both the youth and senior levels. It is not entirely his or his committee's fault, but someone has to be made accountable at the end of the day.'' *** Andre Manders (Western Stars player): "I just hope that they find a suitable leader and that cricket gets better from here on.'' *** Wilbur Pitcher (Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association vice-president): "I certainly hope that they are going to find somebody to head a group that is going to do something good for cricket. I know that the umpires are going to have to play a part. We haven't been on the Board for many years, our association needs to be a member of the Board because there has been a break down in communication between the two bodies which has caused a lot of problems.'' *** Kenneth Simmons (Somerset Bridge RC president): I don't think cricket can get any worse. I guess you can say the veterans have gotten out because we were concerned about various things in the sport. I don't expect any immediate changes, but I hope things will get better in time. The new group must plan carefully and make improvements which are in the best interests of the sport of cricket.'' *** Randy Horton (ex-player): "The club affiliates obviously felt that it was the right thing to do. We, of course, will be hoping that the new group makes a determined effort to steer cricket in a positive direction.'' *** Cal Waldron (PHC player): "Well, everybody seemed to think that a change was needed, let's just hope that it will be a change for the better and that Bermuda cricket will see some positive things in the future.'' HORTON -- `right thing to do' TUCKER -- `not surprised'