HAMILTON, Bermuda, (CMC) – Departing national coach Gus Logie says Bermuda’s cricketers need to change their attitude towards playing for their country.

Logie, the former West Indies player and coach, whose four-year stint ended with no fairytale finish, a 45-run defeat to Uganda, said: “I wish the youngsters all the best going forward.

“As I said to them, over the years we have talked about the level of commitment that is necessary to play at this level, the sense of responsibility they need to have, the strong work ethic that is needed.

“Certainly, whoever comes in will ask for no different, they may ask for even more. If they really want to represent their country then they need to think about having great passion for playing for their country.

“At the end of the day, if I had to look back, then the only disappointing thing [about my time in charge] is that not too many people have shared that passion.

“I just feel that going forward that is what is going to be needed if they want to make the grade. The talent is there, but all the ingredients need to be put together.”

Logie, who has kept his future plans under wraps, chose not to renew his contract, which runs out next month, having been disillusioned with Bermuda’s poor performance at the 2011 World Cup qualifiers in South Africa in April when the team failed to qualify for the tournament to be staged in Asia.

The Trinidadian had become the first Bermuda coach to get the country to the World Cup, making their debut in the Caribbean in 2007.

Three senior players who played in the Caribbean – Dwayne Leverock, Lionel Cann and Janeiro Tucker – have since retired from international duty.

Former county player David Hemp took charge of an inexperienced team for the Uganda tour and suffered defeats in both matches.

Uganda claimed an historic seven-wicket victory in last week’s inaugural four-day Intercontinental Shield match and followed it up with victory in a day/night 50-overs match at the National Sports Centre on Monday night. Two planned weekend matches were cancelled because of the approach of Hurricane Bill.

Bermuda now have a lengthy break before their next international and a new coach is expected to be in place by then.