Supporters of Bermudan cricketer Dwayne Leverock cheer his arrival at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad on 15 March. AFP PHOTO/ALESSANDRO ABBONIZIO
In many countries with Associate status with the ICC, cricket is a minor sport. Not so in Bermuda. cricket, like football, is very popular on the tiny British Colony. Fans there follow the sport with a passion with which their West Indian cricketing ‘neighbours’ could easily identify. For two days at the end the July each year the island is virtually shutdown as two popular rivals, St Georges in the East and Somerset in the West, contest ‘Cup Match’. While winning has its own significance the ‘lime’ is just as important and, traditionally, many Bermudians literally camp out at the match venue for most or all of the two-day game.
From primary level there is organised hard-ball competition and many children at that stage are already members of clubs.
No wonder Bermuda, with just 21 miles of landmass and a population just over 65, 000, has become the smallest country to qualify for an ICC Cricket World Cup.
Bermuda’s lead up to the World Cup was anything but smooth but, under Coach Gus Logie, the former West Indies batsman, they will want to display their cricketing skills as proudly as they paraded their national attire of Bermuda shorts at the opening ceremony.
One of their most popular cricketers is big left arm spinner Dwayne Leverock. His huge frame, which carries a weight of around 275 pounds, has attracted comments, most not complimentary, from locals and those who have seen him perform at international level.
Those who face him on the pitch will be well advised to focus on his deliveries rather than his size, as Leverock has already shown his immense talent with a superb spell of bowling against England. He confused Kevin Pietersen, a player good enough to average 56.50 in ODIs, and eventually had him stumped by Dean Minors. Leverock’s four for 32 off ten was a true reflection of the quality of his bowling.
Bermuda has also shown a commitment to invest in youth by the inclusion of 17-year-old Malachi Jones who won the award for best young player in Bermuda last year.
Bermuda’s most decorated cricketer is 36-year-old David Hemp, a veteran of 236 First Class matches. Hemp, who was born in Bermuda, is currently captain of Glamorgan and has also played for Free State and Warwickshire. 35-year-old South African born Saleem Mukuddem is also an experienced all-rounder, good enough to bat at number three if necessary and also open the bowling.
Their captain Irvine Romaine, former skipper Clay Smith and Minors are among the other players to watch.
“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,” Coach Logie said of his team’s World Cup campaign.
“There is a bigger picture as well. 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,” he explained.
Maybe there is a subtle message in that ‘speech’ for all the ‘anti-minnow activists’.
