"To represent Bermuda in the ICC ... that's why I was born!'' The statement says it all. And despite his critical comments on the current state of local cricket, Sam Stevens harbours a burning desire to represent Bermuda on the international stage.

The talented allrounder admits he has hopes of becoming a professional cricketer and being able to distinguish himself at both the first class and national level.

A born Bermudian, Stevens moved to England at the age of 11 and has since embarked on a cricketing odyssey that has seen him captain both the prestigious Harrow school in London as well as English county club Middlesex's under-19 side last summer.

The 20-year-old was recently accepted into the Durham University Academy of Excellence as a result of promise shown on the pitch and has been afforded the opportunity to challenge for a place in the Middlesex's Second XI.

However, therein lies a dilemma. The medium pace bowler and middle order batsman -- he claims to be more batsman than bowler -- has operated outside of the scope of Bermuda Cricket Board of Control and has been largely overlooked.

Little is known of his talent among Bermudians, with Stevens having made only a token appearance for Western Stars early last year. He took two wickets for the all-conquering Stars in a match against St. George's but returned to England soon after.

Stevens might not have helped his cause for inclusion in the Island national team by blasting everything from the "appalling state'' of local pitches to the BCBC administration led by president El James in a letter to Sports Mailbox last week.

But the youngster noted such criticism to have been made in an effort to light a fire for improvement, adding that his talent would hopefully eventually provide the necessary evidence for possible selection to the national squad.

"I have a dilemma really, because of my lucky exposure abroad,'' said Stevens, a close friend of former Bermuda captain and premier batsman Albert Steede. "It's a difficult situation for me, because while I'm young, I have the opportunity to either come home and play club cricket or stay in England and try to make it with Middlesex.

"As far as the letter is concerned, I played a few games with Western Stars last season and I've had a chance to look around and see what's what for about a year now. And because I've had the privilege of seeing what goes on abroad, I'm really disappointed with the way things are organised here and how little seems to get done, despite the fact that many players are not happy with the way things are.

"The letter was more to open debate and have addressed the issues that need to be addressed, and try to get a response so as not to allow the situation to keep going. I wrote it because I really do care.'' Stevens will be tutored by former England Test player Graeme Fowler at Durham, regarded as the top cricketing university in the country. However, he stressed that he was not of the belief that any of his accomplishments to date necessarily warranted inclusion among the Bermuda team at present.

"It would mean the world for me to represent Bermuda,'' said Stevens, who has played for Bermuda in squash previously. "I don't know if I'm good enough to be included in any squad.

"All I know is that I've been involved in junior county cricket abroad, I was captain of Middlesex Under-19, have played premier cricket abroad, but it's still difficult to say, because I can't expect to walk into a side having not played the majority of my cricket in Bermuda.

"I've got three years up at Durham where they've just started this cricket academy ...

"That is a kind of a springboard to other things, because there are a lot of county scouts around and it gives me another opportunity to make it.'' Meanwhile, president James said that he would gladly consider Stevens for selection as long as his administration were kept abreast of the youngster's development, this regardless of any criticism by the player.

"We recognise free speech,'' said James. "As long as he keeps in correspondence with us and we deem him worthy of inclusion he will be extended the opportunity like any other player.''