Red Stripe Bowl: BTTW talks to Canadian and US skippers, and Bermudian coach

The Canadian, American and Bermudian camps have all concurred that more exposure to first class opposition is the only way they will improve their performances at the annual Red Stripe Bowl.

This follows the appearance of the three teams plus ICC Affiliate member Cayman Islands at the West Indies domestic one-day competition last week.

Although speaking separately, Bermudian co-coach, Winston Reid, Canadian captain, Joe Harris and United States skipper, Ray Denny unwittingly spoke in unison of the need for quality match practice as preparation for the West Indies domestic one-day competition.

"I would like explore the possibility of our guys coming down and playing in the Leeward Islands competition, so when we come back a couple of months later, we are accustomed to the wickets there," Reid, who advised newly installed national coach, Roland Butcher, at the tournament.

"They (the wickets) are bouncier than what we have here in Bermuda and take some getting used to."

Bermuda won one game against the Cayman Islands, and lost to the Leeward Islands, Guyana and Windward Islands.

Harris, along with Reid and Denny, felt his team possessed the raw talent but lost out in practical know how at playing at that level.

"I don't think we were out-matched as such - I don't think we lacked the ability. The players would go for the big shots - they didn't try to build an innings," Harris said. "It's a different type of game playing at that level."

Denny, whose US side had the most tumultuous time of the four non-WICB teams, crumbling to Canada for 81 all-out, and then beating Barbados, echoed similar sentiments, citing the need for more practice against that standard of opposition. Despite his team failing to pass 100 twice, the Barbadian born Fort Lauderdale resident was surprisingly upbeat.

"The more we play, the more we disciplined we can become and learn to apply ourselves through an innings, instead of trying to takes runs off balls that aren't there to be hit," Denny said. "We also need to be able to play together more as a team. I hope they keep the side together."

So what happened in the loss to Canada?

"We had played reasonably well against Jamaica and we just went into the match over-confident, expecting it to just happen," Denny explained. "Against Merv Dillon and Marlon Black they played their shots when they shouldn't have."

Harris gave the Canadian perspective of the US match: "We got an early breakthrough, and kept the pressure on and wickets kept falling."

Harris, Reid and Denny all told BTTW they hoped the International Cricket Council and the West Indies Cricket Board, which had ensured the four countries' participation in the tournament persisted in the long term.

"Doesn't matter if we lose the next couple of times. What counts if we get better - it's a learning process," Reid said.

BTTW has heard mixed signals regarding the attitudes of individuals within the WICB.

One selector told one of the captains he was greatly in favour of the 'international' teams' inclusion, while another questioned Cayman Islands' participation, considering the age of some of their players. "He felt it be better to include Antigua, which provided five or six of the Leewards' players."

Cayman Islands coach, Theo Cuffy, said the CICA was aware of the team's 'maturity', but said the younger players weren't quite ready.

There were 12 matches between the four 'international' teams and the six West Indian domestic teams. Of those, the 'international' teams won one. However, only two matches could be classified as complete annihilations. Both were against Trinidad & Tobago.

In the Cayman Islands' nine wicket loss, Trinidad & Tobago chased down its target of 91 at a rate of more than 11 runs per over, while the United States fared even worse, conceding 13 runs an over as the home team overtook the Americans' total of 62.

The star individual Canadian performance was arguably St.Kitts-born opening batsman, Desmond Chumney's 58 against Trinidad & Tobago, smoting five sixes.

"He batted very well and was not intimidated by who he was playing against." The attack included Australian tourist, Marlon Black.

Dave Joseph was another good performer, taking 6-39 against Jamaica. "Basically he kept it up to the bat," Harris said.

The Canadian skipper was pleased with his team. "We have got a good side with good commitment."

Reid agreed: "I'm impressed with Canada - they look to be a pretty useful outfit. They have a good coach in Andrew Kirsten and they have a high fitness level."

Reid said Bermuda would need to 'do a lot of work' to improve for next year's ICC Trophy but the former Trophy veteran is confident Bermuda can qualify for the World Cup.

"We know what the wickets are like in Canada - we have played there two years in a row now, and a lot of teams will be new to them."

He added though, that fundamental changes will be required.

"We need some opening bowlers. We have some useful youngsters who can hopefully make the team in a year or two."

While Herbie Bascombe produced good returns against the Cayman Islands and Windward Islands, the medium pacer was now in his mid-thirties.

According to Reid, internally, excessive pressure was also being applied to the team's star batsmen, captain, Charlie Marshall and Clay Smith.

"We also need two solid opening batsmen who can put on 50 runs," Reid said. "That way, when Charlie and Clay come to the crease, they can play their shots," Reid continued.

"Also, there is too much reliance from the other players on Charlie and Clay to do well."

The team had been depleted by the reluctance of openers, Glenn Blakeney and Albert Steede, to play for the national team.