Just as the Bermuda team would have been in high spirits following a momentous victory at the Red Stripe Bowl, so was the local cricketing community.

Plaudits came from former players, keen observers and the Government, expressing joy regarding the Island's first ever win at the Caribbean tournament.

However, this enthusiasm was tempered with caution as the result was against Cayman Islands, a nation not revered for its cricketing capabilities.

Bermuda won by 123 runs on Thursday, scoring 250 for six, before limiting Caymans to a paltry 127 at Antigua Recreation Ground.

"You have to put it in context of whom they're playing, but it's always good to have a victory, because success breeds success,'' said local radio commentator Colin Blades, who captained Bermuda at the 1982 ICC tournament and holds the tournament record for Bermuda batsmen in average runs scored.

"It's a good start, but you have to put it in context of the opposition.

They've got to get excited, but the excitement should be tempered ... it's against people that you should beat.'' Sports Minister Dennis Lister likewise extended compliments to the group, with hopes that this would lead to bigger and better things.

"We can all be pleased and proud in the achievement of our first victory,'' said Lister. "I hope this is an indication of where cricket is going in terms of our representation at international competition.'' Cricket enthusaiast George Holdipp said: "A victory is a victory despite the opponents. And those who look closely will note that Bermuda actually scored more runs against the Caymans that the mighty Guyanese.'' Holdipp described having slow bowler Hasan Durham open the attack with Herbie Bascome as a wise tactical manoeuvre. Figures back up the assertion, with Durham compiling remarkable figures of two for 23 and one for 14 against Leeward Islands and Caymans respectively. "It throws teams off, because most teams expect two new-ball bowlers that are going to be bowling fast,'' he explained. "A lot of openers don't really know how to play good spin bowling.'' Nevertheless, former opener Dexter Smith noted how the use of Durham as an opening bowler could backfire.

"I applaud the tactic of having Hasan open the bowling, but what it does is show some short-sightedness on the selectors' part, because, if you're going to commit your number one spinner to take the new ball, then why do you only have one specialist spinner in the tour party?'' said Smith, who some believe would have been useful at the top of the order.

"Normally, if you're going to do that you have to have a spinner who's going to give you a full compliment of 10 overs after the ball has lost some of its sheen. That's unlikely here, so that shows a selectorial gaffe in that respect.'' Bermuda play the Windward Islands today in Anguilla before returning to Antigua tomorrow to play their final group match against Guyana.

Hasan Durham: slow left-armer has picked up three economical wickets in two matches.