What a week for Bermuda cricket as the Bermuda national cricket team stunned Canada 2-1 in the series.

As this was my first tour as assistant coach/manager I have found it just as rewarding as when I was an international player.

It is a wonderful feeling to watch such a young squad with so much determination and passion. They are all so eager to listen and learn.

If there is one thing that stands out more than anything else with this team it has to be their fielding ability, it has been first class.

The excitement of it all prompted me to interview two of the younger players, who happen to be best friends – Oronde Bascombe and Rodney Trott.

Oronde:

QCould you have imagined such a good start to your international career?

ANot really being that we are developing. I thought it would be a little rough, but I always knew that as long as we done the right things we stood a good chance.

QWere you nervous when you went to bat and if so what did you do to overcome it?

AI was very nervous. I just wanted to get off the mark to build my confidence up.

Q Overall what do you think about the make up of the team?

AThere is good unity amongst the team. The more we play together the better we will become. We are very intense in the field and this was proven with all the run outs that we got.

Q With Cup Match coming up I guess the big question is will you stay and play Cup Match or will you go on tour with Bermuda to the ICC Twenty20 tournament in Ireland?

AIf selected I will go and play for the national team in Ireland.

QIce baths are a new invention at the national level, can you tell us about your experience and if it helps?

AYes, ice baths do help you to recover, but I have to be honest and say I hate it as the water is very cold.

Rodney:

Q What was it like watching your best friend Oronde going into bat in his first ever One Day International?

AI felt nervous, excitement and happy to see him finally reach his goal of playing for Bermuda.

Q You seem to always produce at the international level why is that?

AAt a higher level I know I have to be focused and constantly thinking as players are of a high standard.

Q Explain to Bermuda what the feeling was like after winning the series versus Canada?

AI was extremely happy and proud to know that we are the first Bermuda team to win an ODI series.

QWhere would you like to see Bermuda cricket go from here?

AI would like to see us keep going forward and for this team to continue growing together.

Oronde and Rodney:

QDo you have any advice for those players who have stayed away and decided not to play for their country?

AGet tough and stop running from the challenge.

Having seen at first hand how these guys play I have to say Bermuda cricket has a bright future.

They are very talented and hungry. They have the passion that is needed to be successful at this level, and they balance it off by also having fun.

One thing that is worthy of noting is that these players have not worried about those players that were unavailable for various reasons.

They maintained their focus on getting the best out of each other.

This team has what the qualifying team from 2006 had and that is great team unity.

Their togetherness will only serve to help them through their tough battles.

I encourage Bermuda to get behind them and come out to support them as they will be playing Scotland July 10th upon their return home on July 8th.

This will be the first time since Bermuda qualified for the World Cup that you Bermuda will have a chance to see your team in action.

Come and support and I promise you will not be disappointed.

I leave you with the words of Jekon Edness in the first game when Bermuda had eight runs to get in the last over, he called Ryan Steede to the middle of the wicket and said, "Look into my eyes, it's the eye of the tiger, now let's get the job done". Passion you have got to love it!