Created: Sep 16, 2026 08:00 AM
Southampton Rangers president Darren “Butch” Burchall (File photograph)
Southampton Rangers president Darren “Butch” Burchall has called on stakeholders to convene a meeting to address some of the concerns raised over the state of Bermuda cricket.
The former Rangers wicketkeeper fears the local game is heading down the wrong path and agrees with some of the concerns raised by Somerset coach and former club captain Janeiro Tucker in the wake of Somerset’s failure to turn up for their Premier Division Knockout Cup final against St George’s at Wellington Oval on Sunday.
“Janeiro is right, we do have to sit down and have some serious conversations on how local cricket is going,” Burchall told The Royal Gazette.
Somerset advanced to the final after winning their semi-final against Southampton Rangers on the flip of a coin after rain prevented any action and, while Burchall has no issue over Somerset’s stance not to play the final, he feels they should have declared their intentions earlier to allow his club to take their place instead.
“Somerset knew since Thursday that the game was going to be played on Sunday,” he said.
“If they had an issue and were going to take a stand by withdrawing, the prudent thing to do in the best interest of cricket would have been to pull out on Thursday and let Rangers play.
“I know of several fans and senior citizens who drove all the way to St George’s for nothing.
“I have nothing against Somerset taking a stand — that’s their democratic right — but it could have been done more tastefully.
“When we boycotted the Western Counties, we informed them so that they could make arrangements.”
Tucker blasted the Bermuda Cricket Board in response to criticism over Somerset’s decision not to turn up for the final in a protest against the BCB switching the day of the game from Saturday to Sunday on 48 hours’ notice.
The Somerset Cup Match legend feels the BCB has been unfair when it comes to rescheduling matches, such as Sunday’s final, with his team put at a disadvantage as a result of the unavailability of players, including team captain Dominic Sabir.
Somerset coach Janeiro Tucker (File photograph by Akil Simmons)
Tucker claims that Somerset have repeatedly seen matches rescheduled when other teams were unavailable, yet when similar circumstances affect his club, flexibility seems to disappear.
“The final was scheduled for September 12, only to be changed on September 10 via an e-mail from the BCB. Players had already arranged work schedules, changed travel plans and committed to other obligations,” he said.
“One player even had an exam on the new match date. Yet the attitude appeared to be simple, play when told or face the consequences. Rules and standards should apply equally to everyone.
“If postponements are permitted for one club, they should be permitted to all clubs under the same circumstances. Clubs and players deserve certainty, not weekly changes and inconsistent decisions.
“Somerset Cricket Club took a stand because enough is enough. The constant shifting of schedules and lack of consistency is hurting the game.
St George’s captain Sinclair Smith (File photograph by Cleon Scotland/Airhorn Media)
“If Bermuda cricket is to move forward, it needs transparent leadership, accountability and decisions that put the interest ahead of personal agendas.”
After the final was postponed, a frustrated St George’s captain Sinclair Smith also expressed his concerns over the state of local cricket.
“It’s so disappointing for the season to end like this. My guys were prepared and looking forward to playing the final, so it’s an anticlimax,” he said.
“But again it’s been a consistent theme for us this year, we’ve had quite a few games postponed due to umpiring issues, so this is a sad ending to the season.
“It’s an indication of the sad state of our cricket right now. There are things we have to work on as far as the cricket board is concerned in terms of scheduling and communication, clubs communicating as well.”
In May former St George’s captain Wendell Smith also lashed out at the BCB over its T20 and 50 overs schedules, which he deems as “unfair” and “unbalanced”.
Among the former star batsman’s concerns was Premier Division 50 overs and T20 champions St David’s and 40 Over Knockout champions St George’s having to play the bulk of their high-profile matches in both the T20 and 50 overs competitions away from home, while promoted Southampton Rangers played most of theirs on their own ground.
“The imbalance that exists in the schedule is mind-boggling” Smith wrote in a letter addressed to BCB president Lloyd Smith and executive director Cal Blankendal.
“Quite evident is the unfairness and lack of any balance or endeavour to establish a semblance of balance.”