South African Test batsman Daryll Cullinan this week arrived on the Island to start a two-month coaching stint, still tortured by thoughts of what might have been, after his country's agonising exit from the cricket World Cup last week.

Cullinan confessed he had found it tough coping with the aftermath of last Thursday's incredible semi-final tussle with Australia which ended in a tie, but with South Africa eliminated.

Cullinan's team matched Australia's 213, but Steve Waugh's men went through because they finished above South Africa in the Super Six stage of the competition.

"It has not really hit me yet,'' said the 32-year-old top order batsman.

"I'm still having a kind of mental block about that match.

"We lost to Australia twice in the World Cup, but both times we had the game in our hands. We probably got just a bit too excited at the wrong times.

"We looked out of it, but then Lance Kluesener came in and did his stuff and got us right back in the game. Nine runs off the last over looked pretty tough, but when the first two balls went for four we thought we'd won it.'' But with the scores level, South Africa lost their last wicket when Allan Donald was run out. And the disappointment had hit hard in the dressing room of the pre-tournament favourites, said Cullinan.

"We were all in a state of shock,'' he said. "Playing in a World Cup final at Lord's -- what more could any cricketer want? "We missed out by one run, but that game will be spoken about for years to come and it will live in my memory until the day I die.'' Cullinan's words illustrate a passion for the game -- something which he has been delighted to have found in abundance in Bermuda since his arrival on Tuesday.

And though he will not get chance to see any local cricket until the weekend, he believes that with the combination of widespread love of the game and potentially large resources to support cricket, Bermuda could do better.

"When I see what the smaller countries achieved in the World Cup, then I think why shouldn't Bermuda be able to do the same?'' said Cullinan.

"Bangladesh have used what resources they have and have utilised them as well as they could. Kenya did well too and Scotland did not disgrace themselves.

All the smaller countries showed they had at least two or three players who could compete with the very best.

"With the support the game could get here, there is no reason why Bermuda shouldn't be looking to qualify for the World Cup. And no reason why Bermuda shouldn't become a new focus for Caribbean cricket.'' Cullinan is here for the next eight weeks to work for Bermuda Cricket Board of Control and will be sharing his time among the entire cricketing community, from youngsters to the senior national squad and coaches.

The player himself approached the BCBC with the suggestion of coming here to coach and was welcomed with open arms by the board's president El James and national coach Allan Douglas.

"I'm looking to start a career in coaching at some stage, but I think I've still got another two or three years' Test cricket in me yet,'' he said.

"I hope I can help to give Bermuda cricket what it wants and show the young players what it is possible to get out of the game.'' Cullinan's cricketing credentials are impressive. He has scored 3,107 Test runs -- more than anyone else in South African history -- and his 275 not out against New Zealand in March this year was the highest Test score ever achieved by a South African, topping Graeme Pollock's 274 against Australia in 1970.

The batsman who started his first-class career 16 years ago with Border province and went on to play for Western Province, Gauteng and Derbyshire, was also in devastating form when his country hammered the West Indies 5-0 in a Test series last year, with his best personal effort 168.

"West Indies were on top of world cricket for more than 10 years when they were blessed with some great athletes and players,'' said Cullinan.

"But since then, other countries have caught up in their coaching methods and with good development programmes and cricket is competing with sports which offer better opportunities financially in the Caribbean.'' Cullinan had seen reason for West Indian optimism, even during last autumn's humiliation.

"The young batsman Daren Ganga showed sound technique and it was difficult for him coming in with the team's backs against the wall. If the selectors show confidence in him, he will do well.

"Nixon McLean showed he has genuine pace and Franklin Rose bowled really well in the third Test in Durban. There is no reason why they shouldn't go on to get better, but these guys have got to be given a run in the team.'' Run king: South African cricketer Daryll Cullinan (centre), on the Island to coach for two months, is welcomed by BCBC president El James (left) and national team coach Allan Douglas.