There will be no Champion of Champions this year.

Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) yesterday announced the cancellation of the annual, two-tiered finale of the Counties competition due to several problems caused by Hurricane Fabian's devastation.

In addition, BCB Treasurer Neil Speight said the Combined Knockout competition - the semi-final and final of which had already been shifted to 2004 - was now also being scrapped completely because of logistical difficulties.

"In the Combined Knockout you need eight fields in the first round and four fields in the quarter-finals and we've got a lot of uncertainty about fields. Devonshire Rec has got a wall down, St. David's are not sure if they can clear their field, St. George's have got bleachers on the field and both of those (last two) fields you have got to worry about the Causeway.

(Bailey's) Bay have a field but no groundsman.

"For the Champion of Champions, not only is the problem a lack of fields but we must also take consideration of the players and umpires having to get across the Causeway before it closes, whether it's for a game in the East End or on this side and then having to get back," he pointed out.

There is a chance, however, that the Champion of Champions - which was to be contested by Willow Cuts (Western Counties champions), Bailey's Bay (Eastern Counties) and Western Stars (Central Counties) - could be played at the start of next season.

"I'm going to meet with the sponsors (TeleBermuda International) and see what may or may not be done.

"Maybe it happens at the beginning of next season or something. We'll see," said Speight.

The only two matches which the Board remain committed to staging are the Premier Knockout final between St. David's and Willow Cuts and the make-up Premier League clash with Cuts and Cleveland which will determine if Cuts are relegated or not.

Somerset will have an eye on the latter match as they will fall if Cuts avoid the axe.

"These remaining games we're hoping to get played on September 20 (League) and 21 (Knockout).

"We're waiting for Cleveland to tell us where they are going to play the league game and the logistics need to be determined for the Knockout final because we have St. David's playing and obviously that's going to be some complication again with the Causeway."

Speight said all possibilities will be considered for holding the Knockout fixture, including perhaps an earlier start or a "slightly shorter game".

The BCB official lamented the way in which the season ended but noted it was unavoidable.

"We are very disappointed and it's very unfortunate but the reality is that due to the hurricane we're unable to complete the season properly."

Meanwhile, the Barbados team arriving here this morning for a four-game series is now an official national team.

The word out of Barbados is that this decision resulted from a meeting between the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) and members of the touring party on Tuesday.

The BCA expressed concern that - because the majority of players invited here by Somerset Cricket Club are members of the national training squad - the absence of so many players would disrupt preparation for next month's Red Stripe Bowl.

Thus, it was decided that national selectors would pick a team to tour Bermuda which would be accompanied by BCA management.

Therefore, Ezra Moseley, who was originally named coach of the select squad, has been replaced by national senior coach Henderson Springer, while Alvin Greenidge will no longer manage the team.

Wicket-keeper/batsman Courtney Browne will captain the side which includes most of the players expected to represent Barbados in the October 1-19 Red Stripe Bowl limited-overs tournament in Antigua.

Experienced opener Philo Wallace, who has opted to play for the University of the West Indies in the Red Stripe tournament instead of for his country, has been included at Somerset's request because of his popularity among Bermudian fans.

Excluded from the original squad are two junior cricketers, Kenroy Williams and Kevin McClean, while Barbados' Under-19 captain Martin Nurse, who is expected to play for the West Indies Under-19 team in the Bowl, has been included.

Williams, last year's successful Under-19 captain, and McClean, a 15-year-old, schoolboy fast bowler, were among 14 players invited by Somerset for the tour, which was initially a private undertaking.

The Barbadians, who travelled to Boston via Miami yesterday, are expected in the Island this morning in time for their first match against a Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) Select tomorrow. They will oppose a Somerset/St. George's Cup Match Select on Sunday before playing two other games next Tuesday and Wednesday.

All matches will be played at Somerset, commencing at 11 a.m.

The Barbados squad is: Courtney Browne (captain), Ian Bradshaw, Sulieman Benn, Jason Bennett, Tino Best, Sherwin Campbell, Pedro Collins, Fidel Edwards, Ryan Hinds, Ryan Hurley, Martin Nurse, Dale Richards, Floyd Reifer, Kurt Wilkinson, Philo Wallace; Henderson Springer (coach), Jacqui King-Mowatt (physiotherapist), Clinton St Hill (selector).

The BCB Select for tomorrow is: Stephen Outerbridge, Glenn Blakeney, O.J. Pitcher, Clay Smith, Saleem Mukuddem, Wendell White, Delyone Borden, Peter Philpott, Jekon Edness, Jacobi Robinson, Kevin Hurdle, Gary Williams and (subject to availability) Jermaine Postlethwaite.