 The Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) has been plunged into a fresh administrative crisis, leaving the local cricket fraternity to ask: why have the clubs not yet demanded an emergency meeting to address the mounting chaos? Following a week of contradictory announcements, public denials from national legends, and a wall of silence from the executive, the sport currently stands in what has been described as "no man’s land".
The controversy ignited last Wednesday when BCB President Lloyd Smith announced a new four-man coaching panel—rather than a traditional head coach—to lead the senior men’s national team. The panel was said to include legendary all-rounder and former national captain Janeiro Tucker and his business associate Mahesh Hatkar.
However, the Board's strategy was dismantled less than 24 hours later when Tucker vehemently denied any involvement.
"There is no truth to the statement that we are part of that four-man national coaching panel," Tucker told IslandStats.com. "I have to clear my name because I am not a part of this and I have not agreed to become coach of the national training squad".
Tucker, who operates the 186 High Performance Cricket Academy, expressed anger that the BCB would claim his associate, Hatkar, was part of their setup without a formal contract or any affiliation between the academy and the Board.
Compounding the frustration is the apparent breakdown in communication between the Board and the media. Reports indicate that President Lloyd Smith and CEO Calvin Blankendal have failed to respond to emails and phone calls from IslandStats.com seeking clarification on the coaching disconnect, player morale, and the lack of signed contracts.
This silence comes at a critical juncture for the national program:
April 4–12: The North American Cup in the Cayman Islands is just weeks away.
June 19–28: Bermuda is set to host the ICC T20 World Cup Americas Sub-Regional Qualifier.
Player Morale: Reports suggest several senior players are considering pulling out of the 25-man training squad due to the ongoing instability.
Historically, the BCB is a representation of its member clubs, who hold the power to call a Special General Meeting (SGM) or a vote of no confidence if they are dissatisfied with the Board's performance. Yet, despite the technical director moving roles, a "disarrayed" coaching panel, and serious budgetary concerns, the club representatives have remained largely quiet.
With the international calendar looming and the BCB’s "Plan B" unknown, the question remains: how long will the clubs wait before demanding answers for their players and the future of the game?
|
