"It could have been us!'' Such was the lament of El James regarding the recent promotion of Bangladesh to Test cricket status.

The Bermuda Cricket Board of Control (BCBC) president recently voted in favour of the Asian nation receiving the honour, but it was with a heavy heart that he cast his ballot.

"I'm glad for Bangladesh, but I must admit I had mixed emotions sitting there having to vote in favour of Bangladesh being awarded full Test status,'' said James, a premier strike bowler for Bermuda during the 70s and mid-80s.

"Because my thoughts were back in the game -- and I happened to be playing in the match -- when we rolled over Bangladesh so easily, and I think back to that time when we were regarded as a powerhouse among the associates.

"We rolled over Bangladesh and many of those teams that are there now getting Test status and one-day international status.'' It was at that moment that James fully recognised how far his beloved country had fallen down the ladder. From vaunted associate powerhouse to no more than a sometimes troublesome also-ran.

"I realised at that point, when I was sitting there voting -- and it hit me harder that it had ever hit me -- that I and the Bermuda public hadn't really focused or fully realised the impact that the previous administration's lack of youth development over those nine, 10 years has had on the sport,'' said James, in reference to the Ed Bailey-led regime.

"When you think of the lack of development and you look at the progress other countries have made you realise its severity. All I can say is that the previous administration really did us an injustice.

"With the level we were then, we would at least be at international one-day status right now. Yet, as it stands we're probably ranked number 10 among the associates right now and they're looking for three places for the next ICC World Cup.

"So we have to now climb the ladder and hopefully our youth development will do it.'' Even the departure of the likes of Kenya, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe to one-day or full Test status and the expansion to three teams being able to qualify for the World Cup coming out of the ICC Tournament, Bermuda has failed to make a significant impact.

And again James pointed squarely at his predecessor as having to bear responsibility for such failure.

"We self-destructed through a lack of foresight,'' said James. "I think we had a period where there was none on the administrative level and we're suffering from it.

"I sometimes wish there was some way to bring these folks to justice and make them accountable, but all we can do is go on from here and look back at what could have been.'' It was during Bailey's tenure that the Shell Youth League, a key feeder to the senior level, was scrapped and it has only been since James took over the leadership position that it has been revived.

Currently under-15 and under-18 divisions, sponsored by BF&M and Shell exist, but it will be a few years before these players filter through to the national level.

Said James: "I believe with a good programme, if we can keep the young players involved, we're two or three years away from having a strong team that looks like true contenders.

"Mind you, we don't have the pool of players to choose from like Bangladesh, but that can be a problem as well, because you can only pick 11. Right now with us getting ready to bring on a new national coach who's going to look at every aspect of the sport -- from schools, community, clubs and national level -- if this person does what we expect then we're back on track.'' El James: painful vote.