Singapore: Bruce Yardley's cultural challenge

New Singapore national team coach Bruce Yardley has quickly realised his new role is more about changing cultural outlooks than altering playing techniques.

For while the 33 Test veteran was philosophical about Singapore's showing in the annual Tuanku Ja'Afar Trophy, "there is a long way to go", the major realisation is his biggest hurdle will be the famous Singaporean concentration on work and stody.

"The whole scene in Singapore revolves around study and doing well academically and career wise," the 52 year-old said.

"What we need to prove to them is that if you do well at cricket you can make a buck in that too."

Yardley has been impressed with the talent he has seen in his three weeks in Singapore.

"I think we're going to be able to give the ICC Trophy a shake - the talent is here.

"Reng Chen is the wicket-keeper for the national team. He's 17 years old and if he was in Australia you could probably expect him to make rep. teams."

Neither Yardley or Singapore Cricket Association officials placed heavy emphasis on results in the Tuanku Ja'Afar Trophy.

"We didn't have high expectations as Bruce had introduced a lot of young players to the team," SCA official, Dinesh Chelvathurai, said.

"There were players who just wanted the trips and not put in the effort. The youngsters are very keen," Yardley said.

Yardley is clear where the main area of improvement lies:

"It revolves around fitness. Against Malaysia it looked like we could have had them but our players didn't have the fitness to see out 50 voers."

So how to you get amateurs to maintain an acceptable level of fitness?

"Easy - I am about to set individual fitness programmes and it will be easy to see who is putting in the work. Those that don't won't be picked."

Yardley was unperturbed when only five players turned up for the first training session.

"We got 14 to the next one and more will come. It is all part of the challenge."

Yardley's initial contract with the SCA is for 18 months, which will finish just after next year's ICC Trophy in Toronto, Canada. If both parties are happy, he will be given an extension.

His brief is to oversee all national teams from under 13 upwards as well as a general developmental role.

"I am about to throw open the Kallang ground to everyone who wants to come and hold clinics.

"We are also putting together a promotional video which we can take to the schools and show them what the game is about."

For the record, Singapore finished third in the trophy, after scoring its only win over Thailand.

Malaysia won the final against Hong Kong by 130 runs.

Meanwhile, Trophy organisers' desire to maintain standards will see the tournament's present numbers maintained.

Brunei is an unlikely addition due to a low number of indigenous players in the national team.

Thailand was given dispensation from the nine citizen rule this year, but officials hope they are able to meet the quota of indigenous players.