of several players who expressed relief last Sunday as the Premier Open League came to a close.

Sunday ended a three-year experiment by Bermuda Cricket Board of Control who adopted the open cricket policy with a view to developing younger players.

But the format hasn't been popular among either players or spectators, especially when teams have batted for extended periods, as was the case in the two title deciding matches on Sunday involving St. George's and Bailey's Bay when Western Stars and Willow Cuts both batted for almost six hours.

Players contacted by The Gazette felt that the policy should now be dropped in favour of limited overs cricket only.

And their view is supported by BCBC president El James and the assistant secretary of the Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association Wilbur Pitcher.

"We are aware that the consensus among players and spectators is to have it scrapped for good, but that decision will be ultimately left with the clubs,'' said James. "We have a committee that will make some recommendations that will be passed on to the clubs.

"Our goal is to make cricket as interesting as possible, to enhance its progress so that young players can continue to benefit and spectators can come out and support the game in decent numbers again.'' James could not say when the Board would meet to finalise their discussion or when a meeting would be called to put the final decision before the clubs.

While supporting a move to overs cricket next season, Mid Ocean News Sports Editor Dexter Smith, a player with Devonshire Rec., said open cricket had its benefits if only teams would be more "imaginative''.

Smith also questioned whether overs cricket would hasten the development of up and coming players.

Said Smith: "Unfortunately, and I stress that word, we probably have no option but to go away from the open format. The unfortunate part is that today's cricketers, in particular the authority figures in our cricket teams, have failed the system.

"There has been unimaginative captaincy and a general lack of effort and commitment on the players' behalf. You either want to play cricket or you do not. Effort and desire must at all times be expected, whatever the format.

"The bare facts are that 15 of the 28 matches in the Premier Division Open schedule were victories. There were two no results. Eleven were draws but three of that number came in the first weekend where most of the day was lost to rain.

"Matches are scheduled to start at 11.00 a.m. and finish any time between 7.30 and 8 p.m. For you not to be able to get a result, or show any sort of imagination in that amount of time, is scandalous.

"And that is the biggest problem that we have with the majority of our teams and people with the `two-minute high' mentality who complain about open cricket.

"I was one who said we should do away with it or at least minimalise it because all our international commitments are in the limited overs format. But we struggle to bat 50 overs both here and abroad. Case in point: if not for Clay Smith in Jamaica last year we would have been utterly embarrassed on excellent batting surfaces.'' Among those who The Royal Gazette also spoke to who believed the open format should be dropped were the following officials and players: Wilbur Pitcher (BCUA): "Open cricket is killing the game, it's really a waste of time. Many players complain about it starting at 11.00 a.m. and finishing at 7.00 p.m., having them out there all day and often there is still no result. A team winning the toss can bat all day, which kills play. I can understand if you have a team that goes all out to win the game, but as things stand now most teams bat as long as possible and leave their opponents with little time to get the runs.'' Cleon Scotland (Western Stars): "The intention to use the open cricket format was good at the time, but it certainly hasn't met the expectations. It was intended to help to develop the young bowlers and batsmen but nobody really benefited. And the weaker teams go into it with the intention of surviving only. Certainly the fans do not like it.'' Richard Austin (Police): "I have always believed that we should concentrate on limited overs primarily because it is the only format that our players play during international competitions. And when you look at the way Western Stars batted for 76 overs and limped to the three-figure mark on Sunday, open cricket proves to be nothing but a mockery. That approach discourages everybody and distracts from the overall game with neither the players nor the spectators really enjoying what is going on.'' Olin Jones (Southampton): "Open cricket drains you, especially near the end of the season when games go on for an extended period. Actually I wouldn't be so much against open cricket if they had the bonus points system in operation, but playing without it like they have done this season is nothing but a waste of time. If I had a choice I would prefer to see nothing but limited overs next season, it's more competitive and exciting.'' Cal Dill (Bailey's Bay): "I hope open cricket is over and done with. We certainly don't need any of that stuff anymore because nobody really liked it, including the spectators.'' Roger Trott (Bailey's Bay): "I definitely want open cricket to be scrapped because it certainly has not led to attractive cricket, nor has it inspired players to play any better. So there is no real benefit to using that format.'' Dexter Smith Cleon Scotland Olin Jones