WITH the cricket season relatively new, so much has transpired already both positive and negative.

However, I am one who always tries to look at the positive aspects of a situation even if things look bleak. What you will read below is an e-mail that I received this week in its entirety concerning Bermuda cricket.

'Good afternoon, Mr. Smith,

As a concerned cricketer, spectator and mentor for the future young cricketers of Bermuda, I am totally in disbelief with how the cricket season has started off.

There are a number of issues that I would like for you to address in your wonderful and educated column this week. I am not pointing fingers at anyone in particular, but I do believe that a round-table discussion has to take place in the Government building of Bermuda with the chairperson being the honourable Premier Dr. Ewart Brown in attendance along with Minister of Sport and Environment, Elvin James.

The other individuals being all First and Premier Division cricket club presidents, sports committee chairpersons, captains, coaches, umpires and, most importantly, Bermuda Cricket Board.

Right now, Mr. Smith, our cricket is spinning out of control and no one seems to give a damn other than a selected few. I will go down and list a number of incidents that have occurred with the season just beginning.

1 No umpires at games.

2 Ground staff non-existent.

3 Wickets not being properly prepared.

4 Games starting late.

5 No scorers.

6 Umpires and players not understanding the rules (no-ball foot fault, power play rules).

7 Clubs not providing proper training equipment for players to excel.

8 Fields still not open for games to be played.

9 Player discipline problems not being dealt with.

10 Teams short of players

Mr. Smith, I have "a what if" situation for you. What if Bermuda does not take you on as national team assistant coach? What if Bermuda does not qualify at the next ICC Trophy tournament? What if the Cricket Board of Control started to realise what is really happening in cricket today?

Continue on educating Bermudians in your article because someone has to. So sorry to leave such a huge responsibility on your shoulders. This should have been the Board's job.'

CONCERNED FAN

Personally, I would like to thank this individual for showing such confidence in me, but I do want to clearly state that I do not have all of the answers.

I am in agreement with you that we have had several negative issues arise with the season only two weeks' old, but there have also been some positives. In theory, I support your idea of the round-table discussion with the wide variety of people because at least then you know you have those who can make a difference at their clubs.

However, I would rather see the BCB oversee the meeting and not the Government, who have done their part in assisting cricket and should only be brought in under dire circumstances.

To answer the "what if" questions:

1 Bermuda does not have to take me on as an assistant to be successful. What the cricket fraternity need to do is to forgive and forget about all of the personal gripes they have with each other and this includes players, coaches, Board members and managers.

2 If Bermuda fail to qualify for the next World Cup, it is not the end of the world. However, Bermuda must finish in the top six for us to maintain our One-Day status, which would allow us continued growth in the sport.

3 Lastly, I think the BCB do realsze what is going on in Bermuda, but their hands are really tied. It's not the Board who are failing cricket, it is the clubs. And until the clubs start to take responsibility, they cannot point fingers at the Board.

The BCB are doing their part by bringing specialist coaches in, giving players a second chance, having a new technical committee, making youngsters professionals, having cricket for various age groups, having coaching courses, need I go on.

In closing, we find it so easy to criticise, yet we do not want to be part of the solution. Too many people sit and have great ideas, but that's all it is, just great ideas, as the people who can make a difference never get to hear them.

Clubs, I beg you, you have a duty to the youth of this Island to present them with a suitable and well organised facility and organisation so that they can learn and enhance their knowledge and cricketing ability.

Motto for the week: 'A better today is the start of a brighter future'