Around 30 players with World Cup experience will be on show in Bermuda later this month it was confirmed, as the 20-20 World Cricket Classic squads were officially announced yesterday.

Among the former stars of international cricket competing here from April 23-29 will be Robin Smith, Aravinda de Silva, Richie Richardson and Ian Healy who are being joined by a supporting crew who have more than 140,000 Test and One-Day International runs between them, as well as nearly 5,000 wickets.

And Keith Pont, chief executive of the Get Fit Foundation charity launching internationally to coincide with the event, is expecting some serious cricket to be played at the National Sports Centre.

?Although Bermuda is somewhat of a paradise, this isn?t going to be just a holiday for these guys,? said Pont, using similar tones to those expressed every year ahead of the November World Rugby Classic, whose president John Kane has played an important role as local co-ordinator for the Classic cricketing equivalent.

?This is going to be cricket with bite. These guys don?t forget how to play overnight. I have been talking regularly with the team managers and I know they are taking this very seriously.

?Some of the Aussies are keen to come over and bash the Poms for old time?s sake while Clive Rice (South Africa manager) said he is ?coming to win? and the Indian boys said they weren?t coming all this way not to lift the trophy.

?It?s going to be a great tournament with some great cricket being played. Even if 20-20 wasn?t a big thing when these guys were playing, they will all be used to playing those sort of games on a Wednesday night at the beginning or end of their careers or in training so they will know how to handle themselves.?

And Pont believes this unofficial Over 35s 20-20 World Cup has played ?no small part? in the decision to bring about an official 20-20 event in 2009.

?I certainly feel that Bermuda, in no small part, contributed to the decision to have a 20-20 World Cup,? continued Pont.

?I know it?s not been officially said, but I think that the hype surrounding what we are doing in Bermuda this month has helped people make their mind up that a World Cup would be the right way to go.?

And when it comes to picking a winner for the tournament, which begins with Bermuda against Joel Garner?s West Indies a week on Sunday, Pont thinks fans don?t need to look far from home.

?It is a tough call to make but I have to say that Bermuda have to be in with a very good shout,? continued Pont, who has been visiting the Island every month or two over the past year to help with the preparations.

?They are a young side and relatively inexperienced when it comes to international cricket so I don?t think they would be able to compete over a Test match against these guys.

?But in 20-20, a mixture of their fitness and the way they like to play the game, I think they have a really good shout.

?It is about getting the tactics right and, if they can do that, I don?t see why they can?t go on and be the surprise package of the tournament.

?I know I am not really meant to say this, but I think it would be great if Bermuda did really well in this ? I think it would be great practice for them and a good experience in their World Cup year.?

Pont added putting together the final squads ?presented somewhat of a headache? because of player availability now that the competitors from England, the West Indies, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, India, Australia and South Africa were retired and a number were working in high-profile coaching jobs.

?I am pretty sure this is going to be the final line-up,? he said.

?I?m getting really excited about this now and I know the players are too.?

The Bermuda team has yet to be confirmed.