Brian Lara has questioned the International Cricket Council's (ICC) decision to reduce the World Cup to just ten teams from 2015, wrecking Bermuda's chances of qualifying for the competition.

The West Indies legend, in Bermuda for today's Grand Slam of Golf Pro-Am at Port Royal, also expressed surprise that the game's governing body appeared to be reducing the number of countries who could make it to the highest level.

And Lara said that the changes would 'make life very, very tough' on Bermuda's cricketers in the future.

The ICC have so far refused to comment on the impact their board meeting last Tuesday has had on the Associate nations, and the silence coming from Bermuda Cricket Board's chief executive, Neil Speight, who represents the Associate countries on the ICC Board is equally deafening.

"I'm not the admistrative side of it, and I'm not too aware of what is going on," said Lara, following his practice round at Port Royal.

"(However) I do understand that (reducing the World Cup) is the situation, and that's going to make life very, very tough for Bermuda and the teams that are playing at just a lower level.

"I thought that the idea was to expand, get cricket out in to as many countries as possible, and grow the game. It's a bit worrying to find this situation, but again I don't have all the facts."

As well as reducing the number of teams at the World Cup, the ICC also voted to increase the number of teams at the Twenty20 version to 16 from 12, and bring in a Test League and ODI League for the ten Test playing nations – the implication of which appears to be that the Associate nations have been cut off from the rest of the game.

"We need as many countries playing cricket as possible, and I thought with the Twenty20 game coming on board now, I thought a lot of countries would find it much easier to get involved with the game," said Lara.

"It's the longer version of the game that's difficult, where you can really test your ability, the Twenty20, you're going to see countries like Zimbabwe and Bermuda pulling surprise victories off. And that's a bit surprising, that we're not trying to get as many teams to the highest level as possible."

Not that Lara wants Bermuda's cricketers to get too downhearted – he believes there will still be plenty of opportunities for players in the future, and he wants to take a look at what the Island's best have to offer.

One of the greatest batsmen the game has ever produced has offered to run a net session at the National Sports Centre tomorrow afternoon, and is keen to make his own small contribution to improving the game on the Island.

"I do like to get involved when I visit some of the smaller countries," said Lara. "Bermuda is very close to my heart, I've got a lot of fans here, I've been here a couple of times to play cricket, and obviously the World Cup in 2007, the guys made a big impact back in Trinidad where I'm from.

"I like coming here, if I go to places like Zimbabwe, Bermuda, the minows of cricket, and the young cricketers need some help, then I'm always willing to give it."

Lara, and Bermuda head coach David Moore, worked together when the Australian was with the West Indies, and the pair have been working closely to organise a training session which Moore is hoping will be attended by as many of the Island's players as possible.

"Obviously, David Moore, I know from our time together with the West Indies, and we do have a good relationship," said Lara. "Hopefully, come Tuesday, I'll be able to impart a little bit of knowledge to the youngsters.

"I have my gear, so I don't know exactly what David has organised. I'd prefer to have a net, have a look at some of the guys play, and make a contribution in that way.

"Yes, in the classroom, it could be good, but I believe . . . I'd like to see the youngsters (in a net) and have a look at how they express themselves."

n Just Us went undefeated as they won the inaugural BCB Women's Super Six Tournament at Bailey's Bay yesterday. Hockey Ladies finished runners-up, the Girl's Development Squad were third, and Terry-Lynn Paynter was voted Most Valuable Player.