BBC News: Cricket No-Shows Face Axe
[Sports report by Mike Sharpe, Bermuda Broadcasting Co.]
Some of the biggest names in Bermuda cricket might not be in the national squad for this year’s international games.
The revelation came as National Coach Clay Smith spoke to us about player absences at training sessions: “We’re about being consistent… so that moving forward we can get the best out of our players.
“What we found in recent tours is that some of our players were not as prepared as they should be. In order for our players to be… able to compete at that level, they have to train.”
Big names out of National Cricket Squad
When asked if big names may therefore by out of the squad, Smith responded: “Pretty much so…”, adding they had reached out to some players “more than once, more than twice… Players have to take ownership of themselves and want to be a part of the national team.
“If a player can’t take out one day to train with his national squad just to let us know that he’s interested, then that’s on him.”
To the suggestion that the training might be too early, Smith said: “We can never be too prepared. In previous tours, we’ve gone in and we’ve been under–prepared.
“The ICC is meeting in April. If they were to say that the tournament is going to be in September, you’re talking about four or five months away. You can never prepare enough for that international stage.”
Note: Bernews is temporarily helping Bermuda Broadcasting Company by sharing its stories online. The station’s TV equipment is undergoing repair after being hit by lightning.
Well said Clay alot of players over the years have always had it their way. Its never to early to train thats why Bermuda Sports has lowered its standards.
I am on your side no train no play.
I continue to be impressed with our National coaches for Cricket and Football.
I truly believe that both Andrew Bascome and Clay Smith are the right men for the the respective coaching jobs they now hold as we seek to rebuild our cricket and football programmes in order to compete on a regional and global level.
Both of them are very progressive and we need to get behind them 100 percent.
Well done Clay Smith. Its a team sport and training is integral to building a team. If players don’t turn up to training then you’re left with a bunch of individuals thrown together with no sense of support or pride in their team.
Finally! ACCOUNTABILITY. I love it. Keep it up Mr. Smith. Do not let the naysayers dissuade you from doing your job.
Sounds good but you have already reduced the percent for training to 60. Also you love to win at all cost so we will see what you will do.
It is incumbent on anybody chosen to represent their country to do so. Having said that this is what happens when the Cricket board and particularly the coach cannot connect with the players. He has spoken to them several times yet they still won’t come out for him. WHY? There has to be some reasoning behind this.It would be interesting to see a game with the squad against those who have chosen not to play under Clay Smith. When will we get on the same page. Division 5 beckons.
But you could say that about certain players and the coaches who preceded Clay Smith. Whether it was Logie, Moores, whoever… some people would rather train as they see fit instead, and just expect to walk into the national team.
…but not to this extent. Way to many of our best players don’t want to play under Clay Smith. I felt he was not the right person for the job to begin with. He CANNOT connect with the majority of the players.
Before you give this guy all the praise. Just know that he has made the National team’s training sessions the same days that the clubs have theirs. You can’t make a player choose between club & country like that. If I played cricket I’d pick my club every time. They’re the ones that pay me, not the National team.
To much politics in cricket, a lot players have no interest in playing for his coach. Change the coach n i can guarantee bda cricket will change. i have no respect for clay after what i say down eastern county last year. N bda made him the national coach CRICKET HAS HIT ROCK BOTTOM.
We as a country are already at the bottom concerning cricket, just remember we have been through some top class coaches since the World Cup and the same problems were probably in the squad since than he has been given a job to do . If the players don’t wish to play under him than they are putting personal stuff before country , to me is not the correct decision , so when you decide not to participate don’t complain about anything. Why can’t we just do what has to be done to bring our selves back to the place we belong