Bermuda's national team members need to "see the big picture and want to prove themselves against the very best" if the island is to regain its status amongst the elite of Associate cricket.

That's the view of incoming national team coach and former England batsman, Roland Butcher, preparing for his first test in next week's Red Stripe Bowl in Antigua and Anguilla. Bermuda is in Group B against the Leeward Islands, Guyana, Windward Islands and Cayman Islands.

"Players have been happy to do well in Cup Match, and not really care about testing themselves against better quality opposition," Butcher said. (Cup Match is a prestigeous annual domestic match held in Bermuda which will be contested for the 100th time next year. It is the only known cricket match in the world for which a public holiday is scheduled).

"A lot of the players have become comfortable and haven't had the desire to go one step further," Butcher said.

Butcher began his three year term with a recent 17 day visit to Bermuda meeting with players and officials, attempting to change a mindset which has seen it fall from reaching either the final or semi-finals of the first three ICC Trophies in 1979, 1982 and 1986.

"It has hurt to see countries like Zimbabwe or Bangladesh which they were either competitive against or beating reaching Test status. In our sessions, we worked on forming an understanding of what we want to achieve."

The Barbadian-born 47-year-old said while his team had ability, the Red Stripe Bowl would provide exactly the right test of character he is seeking.

"Talentwise there is no problem. They will be playing four matches in a short period and it will show them the level they have to get to," Butcher said.

"I'm reasonably confident that with a bit of luck we can win two matches," Butcher added. Bermuda recently defeated fellow Group B members, the Cayman Islands in the Americas Cup.

"The batsmen will need to apply discipline. We are not as strong in the fast bowling, but I intend to work on that in the long term and develop the under 19s."

That work will be a vital component of Butcher's role, which is consists of developing Bermudian cricket at all levels. "With the national side, I will look to bring on the under-18s. With older guys you can make slight changes but their technique is already set. I will be trying to get the Under 19s accepting of my ideas."

Butcher, who has eight years' experience in the junior development programme of English Premier League football club, Arsenal, said his coaching philosophy was concentrated heavily on nuturing a players' psyche.

"It's not all about technique. I am very big on valueing the person. I try to foster in every individual player a positive self image. You have to be there for them. If you haven't got that trust and respect, it is hard to get their cooperation."

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