qualifying attempt for the World Cup two years ago.

Only the names of Paul Cann and Neil Robinson, along with overseas professionals Kyle Lightbourne and Shawn Goater were retained on the list divulged by coaching committee chairman Gerard Bean during an afternoon press conference.

A major omission was PHC utility man Meshach Wade, who captained Bermuda during the qualifying run.

New faces on the scene are Vasco's Irving Burgess and Paul Towlson together with the Devonshire Colts trio of Leonard Hypolite, Mark Ray and young Jahmah Samuels.

Burkhard Ziese, BFA Technical Director of Coaching, was adamant that the squad chosen was the best available and that what had happened in the past -- regarding Bermuda and their participation in the World Cup -- played no role in the selection process.

"I don't now if these faces are new faces, but I have selected the faces in accordance to what I have seen in the last three months,'' said Ziese, who has been putting players through training since March 15.

"I did not go according to history.

"For me they are at the present moment, and under the circumstances, the best available team.'' Their initial test comes on Tuesday night at the National Stadium when they face the United States B team, coached by John Ellinger.

Ziese took exception to comments made by Ellinger which had the American painting his squad as being inferior to Bermuda.

"The Americans put it nicely today (Friday) in the newspaper,'' Ziese said, referring to a story in The Royal Gazette . "I think they want to make me laugh. We are the underdogs, they have what...120 or 150 million (people) in the whole country, (while) we have only 60,000 which is less than any small village in the States.

"But I can assure you that we will give them a very, very good fight. I can surely tell you that the players on that day will be really mentally and physically prepared.

"And I hope that they will be the best as they have to prove a point. They have to prove that they are the best.'' Ziese and BFA president Charles Marshall sent out pleas to employers to allow squad members paid leave during the three days leading up to the game. They also emphasised the need for the total support of the general public in attending these matches -- the second is on Thursday when the Olympic team provides the opposition.

Bermuda squad: Randy Darrell, Troy Hall, Devarr Boyles, Irving Burgess, Paul Cann, Lloyd Christopher, Mike Dill, Shawn Goater, Leonard Hypolite, Kyle Lightbourne, Ricky Mallory, Andrew Rahman, Mark Ray, Karl Roberts, Neil Robinson, Jahmah Samuels, Carlos Smith, Paul Towlson. Standby players: Quincy Aberdeen, Jermel Belboda, Andre Hendrickson.

OFFICIAL WELCOME -- Members of the Bermuda cricket team turned up at City Hall yesterday to be officially welcomed home from the ICC Trophy Tournament in Kenya by Government and Opposition officials. The players also received certificates of participation from the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control and a Mayor's citation from the City of Hamilton in recognition of leading the team to a fourth place finish in the tournament.