By RON FANFAIR
Cricket is currently riding a crest of popularity on Bermuda that's better known for off-shore banking and sailing.
In the last six weeks, the national senior side -- which had underachieved for many years -- advanced to the World Cup for the first time ever and the International Cricket Council (ICC) Intercontinental Cup play-offs in Namibia in October.
With new coach Gus Logie at the helm, Bermuda bounced back from a 90-run loss to Ireland in its opening ICC Trophy encounter to dispose of the United Arab Emirates, Denmark and the United States and advance to the World Cup.
Former Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) president Elvin James, who managed the side that defeated Canada and the Cayman Islands to move on to the Intercontinental Cup play-offs, admitted he's basking in the team's glory.
"I am enjoying this glorious run as is all of Bermuda," he told Share shortly after his team beat Canada by 49 runs last week at the Toronto Cricket Club ground. "Being successful here is another stepping stone in the development process and Namibia offers us another platform to secure more experience and exposure.
James said that Bermudans supported their team throughout the ICC World Cup qualifier in Ireland and almost 500 people turned up at the airport to welcome the team back home.
Three days after the team returned from Ireland, they participated in a motorcade to City Hall for a celebratory ceremony and luncheon, and Bermuda's Premier, Alex Scott, presented the squad with a cheque for $100,000.
"I can safely say that all of Bermuda is gearing up for the World Cup and there is a possibility that the island could be vacant when that time comes around," he suggested.
James said that former West Indies batsman and coach Gus Logie, who was summoned earlier this year to help the team prepare for the World Cup, was instrumental in the side's success.
"Gus comes with a quiet, but forceful demeanour," said James. "He's a gentleman and when he speaks, he does so with authority and knowledge and others have no other choice but to listen. I think he earned the respect of our players which was very important, and that has been evident in the way they have performed in the past six weeks."
James expects that Logie, who signed a short-term contract with the BCB that expires at the end of this month, will be back with the team for the World Cup.
"Gus is in negotiations with the board and I am very optimistic that he will be with us for a while," James added. "He's got our players to believe in themselves and Bermuda cricket has taken off as a result of his presence and what he has been able to accomplish with our senior side."
Logie acknowledged that he's in contract negotiations and said he's happy to be the team's coach.
"It's a new environment with new players and the most important thing is that we have been able to get positive results," said Logie who never lost a Test series during his playing career with the West Indies from 1981 to 1992.
"I know that these guys want to be successful and all I do is try to give them as much information as possible and encourage them. There is no magic formula to success. Once you are willing to work hard and put in the time and effort, you will achieve."
Logie, who represented the West Indies in 52 Tests, plans to relocate his family to Bermuda once he signs a long term contract with the BCB.
"It's being very difficult for them being away from me for an extended period," Logie said. "They have made sacrifices and I will like them to be close to me now. I think that's only fair to them."
Bermuda is in Group "B" in the World Cup with India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The first round group matches will take place in Trinidad & Tobago.