at large according to Bermuda Cricket Board of Control (BCBC) president Ed Bailey.

Currently several of the affiliate organisations find themselves in dire financial straits which can only be relieved if "professionals'' are prepared to lend their services in vital areas of administration.

Dwindling bar sales and membership, poor attendance at matches and a general lack of forward planning have been highlighted as key contributors to the downward spiral and where help is needed most.

"I've asked the professional men to help the clubs -- they don't have to join them -- just offer their services to the clubs,'' said Bailey. "We're in dire need and I see it in not only my administrative job, but in my professional job in many, many different categories.

"I would like to see more professionals offering their services to the clubs in their community or they can't survive.'' Bailey was adamant in saying that the Board were doing all they could to promote the national pastime, but more support was needed from the outside.

He pointed to the incoming tours by the Australians earlier this year and the current tour by a Jamaican outfit as well as the Board's sending abroad of the National Youth Squad to the International Youth Tournament and a senior tour of Florida just prior to the start of the season.

There is also the prospect of the Island being accepted for 1996 in the Sandals limited overs competition held in the Caribbean with an eye on eventually being accepted into the region's Red Stripe tournament.

"I think it would be very hard to say that it is the administration (causing problems), when the administration is providing all these opportunities. We're raising the funds and bringing about the opportunities,'' said Bailey, who has weathered several storms promoted by those seeking his ouster from the presidency.

"For instance, look where we have four players in England. Never before has that happened. I think opportunities are there, but a lot of people are trying to find little things to complain about.

"What we must see happen is more interest shown in the clubs and have them play a bigger part in the development process. In the last 10 years no club has brought in a tour, the Board has had the single burden of promoting and developing this sport of cricket.

"There was a time when cricket was better in this country, you had Southampton Rangers bringing in a team, St. George's were bringing in a team.

The opportunity is still out there, but clubs are now telling me they don't have the infrastructure to do it.'' Examples of ills afflicting the game have also been shown during the Jamaica visit, with attendance nowhere near what the Aussies attracted.

Only a handful of spectators were available to witness the hurricane-affected opening match at Somerset on Saturday and while numbers have increased for subsequent matches against a Bermuda President's XI and Young Bermuda, though they have still fallen below acceptable levels.

There have also been problems with player availability as many of the locals picked to perform have not shown up for various reason, resulting in others being drafted at the final hour.

On Saturday just seven of the west enders' Cup Match team bothered to appear and similarly on Sunday four of those chosen as members of the President's XI failed to turn up. The scenario continued into Tuesday, with another makeshift Bermuda line-up being utilised.

Said Bailey: "Obviously the timing of the Australian tour was a lot better than this one at the end of the season.

"The interest by the spectators normally dwindles after the Eastern Counties final... but for the good of cricket the players must look at a 12 month programme, instead of a six month programme and make themselves available.'' Still, Bailey expressed great hope for the future, saying that the game would rebound and continue to play a vital role in society.