Hemp: 'Your boys will have to go semi-pro'

BERMUDA captain David Hemp wants to beat Guernsey again in a bid to make his island the top associate country in the world. Hemp, also captain of Glamorgan and in the island for the Barclays Wealth Super Sixes and Twenty-20+ this weekend, said that Bermuda had the long-term aim of full international status as a one-day side.

'Becoming a test nation is a long way away, but one-day cricket is obviously the goal at the moment,' he said.

'To achieve that you have to ensure that you are competitive day-in day-out and you've got to be the number one associate team. We want to take our cricket forward and be a shining example to the other associates.'

Hemp, 36, a county player for 16 years, said that development of smaller cricketing nations like Guernsey and Bermuda was an issue for the International Cricket Council to struggle with.

'Why put so much money in when, in reality, is Bermuda ever going to be able to compete on the world stage? Could the money be used in a different way to expand the game?'

His countrymen have natural talent and ability, said Hemp, who was born in Bermuda and left age five.

He added that Guernsey would have to wrestle with the problem of demands on players as they climb the ICC ladder.

'Your players are going to have to become semi-pro and combine that with full-time jobs. It is very difficult to combine the two, from the players' and the associations' point of view.'

Hemp, whose contract with Glamorgan runs out at the end of next season, has committed to playing for Bermuda until at least 2009, when the ICC qualifying tournament for the 2011 World Cup will take place.

He said that this year's event was a great experience. Hemp's previous international experience has been limited to an England A tour.

'For me personally it was great. Representing my country - I was born there and I have that right and it was an honour and a privilege to represent the island.

'I loved being part of that and trying to help them to get better as a team if I can.'

Hemp missed the series of matches because of his Glamorgan commitments when Bermuda toured Guernsey in the summer of 2006.

Bermuda won but Guernsey were frustrated that they could not force one win in a closely-fought series.

Hemp said that the experience served his side well.

'It was great for them to play in English conditions, where the ball perhaps will do a little more.

'We have found when we play against the stronger associate sides, like Kenya and Ireland, they are very consistent in the way they play.

'At the moment we are not so consistent in our performances against those countries, but we have been in positions where we felt we should have won games and we need to work on finishing those off.'

Hemp oversaw a Glamorgan season this summer which saw the county finish bottom of the Championship and Pro40 League.

But he will be particularly hoping for an upturn in fortunes at the KGV tomorrow, not least because he is the Glamorgan beneficiary next season and the Guernsey trip is renowned as an opportunity to fill the coffers.