Bermuda high on confidence

Glamorgan's David Hemp was born in Bermuda so can play for the team © Getty Images

Bermuda come into the inaugural ICC World Cricket League Division 1 in Nairobi with a big task ahead of it and is seen by many people around the world as a rank outsider.

National coach Gus Logie is not one of those people. The former West Indies batsman, who played in 52 Tests between 1983 and 1991 and coached them to success at the ICC Champions Trophy in 2004, feels that he has enough talent at his disposal to challenge for the title.

“If you look at the rankings and recent results you may think that we do not have a good chance but I am confident that we have what it takes to do very well at this level,” said 46-year-old Logie.

“We may be outsiders but so was Serena Williams,” he said, referring to the unseeded American tennis player who blitzed the new world number one Maria Sharapova in the final of the Australian Open.

“I am hoping we can go all the way here in Kenya and I believe we can do it,” said Logie.

Bermuda takes on hosts and one of the tournament favourites Kenya in the first game, which takes place at Jaffery Sports Club on Monday. Kenya are in good form, having just won an ODI tri-series with Canada and Scotland in Mombasa.

Bermuda’s preparation has not been helped by the withdrawal of OJ Pitcher, who sustained a groin injury prior to the squad’s departure last week. Pitcher is replaced by experienced wicket-keeper/batsman Kwame Tucker.

David Hemp has played for Glamorgan for sixteen years

Glamorgan captain David Hemp, who was born in Bermuda but brought up in the UK, has been a very welcome addition to the Bermuda squad, with the 36-year-old batsman making a big impact.

He scored 247 not out in a first-class ICC Intercontinental Cup match against the Netherlands in November and has brought a steely determination to the team.

“Apart from his great performances on the field, David brings his knowledge, experience and discipline to the table. His professional attitude has been very welcome and he is having a very positive influence,” said Logie.

Hemp will be supported by the likes of skipper Irving Romaine, Dean Minors and Clay Smith while the tournament will be a good opportunity for bowlers such as Dwayne Leverock, Saleem Mukuddem and right-arm seamer Stefan Kelly to stake their claims.

Looking ahead to the ICC Cricket World Cup, Logie realises that Bermuda will be up against it in a group alongside India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh but is still relishing the challenge that awaits.

“As an associate team there were never going to be any easy groups at the World Cup. Our aim is to perform to the very best of our ability in the West Indies and we are developing the belief system now that will hopefully allow us to do that. And of course, this is sport so anything can happen.

“There is a bigger picture as well,” he added. “We want to put in good performances to inspire young Bermudans to want to take up the game and to show them what they can achieve if they work hard enough. We are playing for our own pride and for the legacy that we leave behind.”