Bermuda embark on new era

Their squad is severely depleted and inexperienced and they have just been humiliated in two warm-up one-dayers against Denmark. But according to Gus Logie, the Bermuda coach, his side are embarking on a new era with confidence.

Logie's men take on Netherlands in their Intercontinental Cup match on Monday with only four surviving players from their disastrous World Cup campaign in the Caribbean earlier this year: Irvine Romaine, Stephen Outerbridge, Dwayne Leverock, the crowds' favourite, and Lionel Cann.

"Some of the younger players have an opportunity to prove themselves and I am looking forward to seeing them progress more than anything else," Logie said. "It is always important to start on a winning note. We have to be realistic of the situation. We are looking forward to seeing some good individual performances and trust that it will be enough to benefit the whole team.

"To emulate any past achievements, we need a similar commitment level of the players and a good start in the competition."

Jekon Edness takes over the wicket-keeping duties from Dean Minors, and a number of youngsters such as Jacobi Robinson, Arthur Pitcher and Ryan Steede are also set to feature.

In stark contrast, the Netherlands are almost at full strength after the return of the captain Jeroen Smits, Bas Zuiderent, Edgar Schiferli and Adeel Raja. The quartet missed the trip to Aberdeen last week where they lost to Scotland by an innings and 59 runs.

"I know Bermuda is missing some good players and I feel sorry for them but when we step on the field, I want my team to be ruthless and play as hard as it can," Paul-Jan Bakker, Netherlands' coach, said. "No disrespect to Bermuda but if we produce a clinical performance and win comprehensively, it will do a world of good to our confidence for the next game against Ireland. It [the game against Ireland] will be a very important match for our progress in the competition because Ireland is certainly one of the top sides in the tournament.

"It is good for the balance of the team that the four players are back. It gives the team a fresher look and, most importantly, it gives us the firepower and aggression we missed in Aberdeen last week."