Updated: May 15, 2024 06:19 PM
Bermuda Cricket Board President Lloyd Smith confirms reversal of decision (file photo provided)
The Bermuda Cricket Board has reversed its controversial decision to reduce this season's 50-over league to just one round.
BCB president Lloyd Smith confirmed the competition had been moved back to two rounds following a meeting with partner clubs on Tuesday.
“There will be two rounds of 50 overs,” Smith told Mr. T.royal gazette.
“We won't know how it's actually set up until the cricket committee actually puts the schedule together and makes it work, but there will be two rounds of 50 overs and T20s.”
The BCB came under criticism from clubs who strongly opposed the decision to play in a single round, believing it would limit players' contact with the longer version of the match and hinder the development of young talent.
St George's coach Clay Smith publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with the format change on the eve of the season opener against Cleveland at Wellington Oval.
“We are very unhappy that the board decided to only play one round of 50 overs when they had originally said there would be two rounds of both 50 overs and T20s,” he said.
“This is a disgrace to the development of cricket as five cricket matches can decide the league title.
“We saw the debacle last year when Cleveland ruined their league chances by having two games canceled due to rain, but last year they only had one game in the round and finished third.
“All we, and I would like to think I can speak for all cricketers when I say, is we want to play the longer version of cricket more.
BCB chairman Smith claims the reason for shortening the 50-over competition was to avoid violating the start of the football season, with the season running into October and much of the ground being used for both sports. I scoffed.
“The circumstances of the situation as it was presented to the club are incorrect,” he said.
There are no 50-over matches scheduled this weekend as the Bermuda Smash Invitational begins Wednesday at the National Sports Center Northfield and runs through Sunday.