If Bermuda is successful in its quest to host first-round matches in the 2007 Cricket World Cup either Australia or India will be playing here.

Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) spokesman Neil Speight explained yesterday that the four first-round groups were each assigned an “anchor team”: the West Indies, England, Australia or India.

It has already been determined that the venues hosting the West Indies and England will hold the semi-finals also and therefore, while not expressly stated, it is expected these groups will be awarded to West Indian countries.

Added to that, based on infrastructure requirements, Bermuda is better suited to host the India or Australia group, noted Speight.

Sports Minister Dale Butler elaborated on this matter in Parliament last Friday, disclosing that the groups for which the Island is bidding would demand seating for 10,000 to 20,000 fans.

“It has been determined by Government that Bermuda's infrastructure could support a bid to host the India or Australia Group matches. This would require a seating configuration of up to about 15,000 spectators which could be accommodated at the National Sports Centre,” the Minister told the House of Assembly.

“Semi-permanent and portable seating would be utilised to achieve the required number of seats.”

Meanwhile, Speight told The Royal Gazette that the handover of Bermuda's World Cup bid in Barbados last week went very well.

“We're very excited and pleased. As you know Brian Hanlon from our consultant firm (Brailsford & Dunlavey) and myself went down to Barbados to present five gorgeous silver briefcases containing the documents that form our bid,” he said.

“Inside was a big binder with 291 pages of responses to questions and drawings and also a DVD containing the necessary answers. There was also a supplemental video that the bid committee decided to include highlighting Bermuda as an ideal host territory for the World Cup. It showed not only the beauty of Bermuda but also our quality infrastructure.

“We believe we were first there and from the other entries I saw on the other days I don't think anyone had certainly put the quality of presentation. Obviously, the content will vary from country to country.”

Speight revealed the highlight of the ten-minute video, which may be shown to the public soon, was an endorsement from movie-star resident Michael Douglas.

“For a man who probably doesn't play much cricket, he was very gracious to put an endorsement on the video which was very nice.

“I think that will lend additional credibility to Bermuda as a venue which is what a lot of this is about.”

The BCB, he announced, is now preparing to welcome the World Cup's Venue Assessment Team (VAT) on June 11-12.

“We're going to have 12 to 15 inspectors come and visit Bermuda. It's important for everyone here to realise it's not just about how wonderful our stadium is going to look because of the deliveries - which are the 24 chapters in the bid - only two of them really focus on cricket stadia and cricket practice,” he said.

“One of the important things when you host an event of this magnitude you need to know that your accommodation and transportation system is up to scratch; that your security systems are great. Our hospital is fantastic and we have got incredible communications when compared to some of the other entrants.

“I think we'll put our best foot forward. The country has done all it can do. We'll keep our fingers crossed and do our best on June 11 and 12 and then wait until July 4 (when the successful bids are disclosed).”