THE 'Let Logie Go Brigade' were granted their wish this week.

The former West Indies' Test batsman and coach – positions held that some of our cricketers and cricket followers never fully appreciated – announced he was leaving.

A consummate diplomat, it was only after the recent debacle at the World Cup Qualifiers in South Africa that the mild-mannered Trinidadian finally voiced his displeasure at the lack of commitment, discipline and application by certain members of his squad.

Previously, he'd almost always bitten his tongue and let his employers, Bermuda Cricket Board, speak on his behalf. Not that they often did.

It was the likes of those on this newspaper to describe the shenanigans which blighted the reputation of the national team, and by association, that of their coach.

Finally, it appears, that Gus Logie's had enough.

His critics, and there are far too many of them, might be glad to see the back of him.

It could, however, prove to be a case of 'careful of what you wish for'.

Insular as some Bermudian critics are, their judgment has been based largely on performances overseas as reported in this paper (other media haven't even come close to detailing every match played both before and after the team's historic World Cup appearance – a fact Dr. Brown might want to consider before he continues his rather tiresome Gazette-bashing).

Through a lack of internationally-accepted facilities, Bermuda haven't played a single match on home turf during that period. And only a handful of diehard supporters have travelled with the team abroad.

So those who want to blame Logie for the national team's demise can only base their criticism on what they have garnered through the media.

And as much as the team have sometimes been 'uncoachable', their behaviour off the field has sometimes been 'unreportable'.

Unlike England's Sun, Daily Mirror, News of the World, New York Post, the National Enquirer, the Gazette doesn't report on hearsay.

Yet our staff, this writer included, have travelled extensively with the squad over the last few years, and there's been hearsay from the committed players, officials and, most disturbingly, the opposition to bear out Logie's almost constant frustration.

It's a frustration that has been re-fuelled by so many disappointments.

Professional coaches these days are expected to get results. We see that regularly in European football, particularly in England. And much the same applies in cricket.

Logie's case, however, is somewhat different.

His counterparts overseas have some pretty sharp tools with which to work. Much of the time, Logie's tools have been decidedly blunt.

If your international reputation as a player and a coach isn't enough to earn respect from the outset, then there's little chance players will heed your advice either on or off the field.

And with precious little backing from a governing body who have often appeared more interested in protecting their players' reputation than that of their coach, what chance is there of getting success?

As he seeks another post, Logie will no doubt point out in his resume that it was he who led the team who represented the country to become the smallest ever to compete in a World Cup.

As for what transpired in the two years that followed, he might want to leave a blank space.

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DESPITE cricket's misfortunes, Belco have remained loyal and much-valued sponsors.

And yet again this week they announced their financial backing for the popular Belco Cup.

But from their advertising campaign, it would appear they've got carried away with what they expect when the games begin.

"We're entirely behind Bermudian cricket – with balls reaching 100 mph, it's the safest place to be" reads their advertisement.

Admittedly, it's clever wording and should get readers' attention which, of course, is what the company want to achieve in order to boost interest.

But let's set the record straight.

100mph! Pakistan's Shoaib Akthar (nicknamed the Rawalpindi Express) holds the world record for the fastest ball delivered – officially recorded at 102.2mph. He became the first bowler ever to exceed 100mph.

Australia's Dennis Lillee and Glen McGrath were pretty nippy, as is Brett Lee.

And in West Indies' heyday, their four-pronged pace attack had batsmen ducking for cover almost every over with balls that certainly exceeded 90 mph. (Gus Logie can tell you more about that, having had to put his health in jeopardy during net practice!)

In Bermuda, however, we haven't quite reached that standard. Indeed, lack of pace has been one of the national team's biggest problems.

Some of our so-called quickies have been known to toss down deliveries that could barely blow out a candle!

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Premier Brown, announcing this week he had ordered some of his colleagues to reduce contact with this newspaper because of what he perceives as biased reporting, probably didn't realise he'd already been upstaged by his Sports Minister.

Glenn Blakeney, who arrived at the World Cup Qualifiers in South Africa just as Bermuda's final match was about to end, told our reporter he had nothing to say to The Gazette.

Quite frankly, that's probably in his best interest.

The last and only time he did talk to us (following the Annual Sports Award farce) he blatantly attempted to mislead the public.

In the case of some MPs, silence really is golden!

– ADRIAN ROBSON