He may not believe in New Year?s resolutions but Clay Smith is a man with a mission in 2005.

Bermuda?s greatest sporting quest this year has been entrusted to him and he is readying himself for the challenge of a lifetime.

Currently on the mend from the latest in a series of surgeries on a troublesome left knee, the Island?s cricket captain is determined to lead by example in the ICC Trophy tournament in July.

At stake are five places in the 2007 Cricket World Cup and 12 Associate ICC nations are vying for them ? Bermuda included. For Smith, achieving such a goal means starting now with some personal commitments, some resolutions if you will.

The first two are connected as he seeks not only to remedy his knee problem but also to get a grip on his overall fitness.

?I had torn my cartilage on both sides of my knee. Since the surgery I have been doing a lot of stationary cycling to strengthen it and it?s coming along nicely,? explained the middle-order batsman.

?I have been getting therapy twice a week and doctors are quite happy with how things are coming along so far.?

As for his weight, the aim is ?to shed at least 25 pounds and get below 200 pounds?.

?I think that would help my knee tremendously. Obviously I want to be in the best shape to maximise my potential,? he noted.

Others in the national training squad are working to get similarly fit for the Ireland assignment and they, along with Smith, are being given personal programmes by physiotherapist Daniel Morgan.

?We?re all working hard and Daniel is setting up programmes for all the players who need extra help. The Board is also looking at bringing in a nutritionist for the team,? elaborated the captain.

Smith believes fitness is a key factor in being able to maintain one?s concentration for long stretches; something that was clearly lacking among Bermuda?s cricketers last year in the Americas Regional Tournament and in the Intercontinental Cup.

?I think a lot of it comes from physical fitness because when you?re not in shape you really can?t concentrate for long periods of time and that?s why you see a lot of lapses in concentration,? he said.

?Players know their role and what?s expected of them but when they get in the middle, if they are not in shape, then a lot of what?s put in at practice goes out the window because they can?t concentrate as necessary.

?That?s why we are paying so much attention to our fitness. When the coach comes he will obviously look to work on certain things to help our concentration even more.?

Smith, who turns 34 on January 15, also recognises his role at the helm requires as much tactical and strategic arsenal as he can accumulate and he is moving to bolster his captaincy skills.

?My main focus is getting things right strategically. I?m already thinking of the right balance for the team.

?From a tactical standpoint, I will be studying a lot of One-Days from the last World Cup, trying to see how the top teams stragetise at different times in the game and for different batsmen and trying to find anything that could help our game.?

If he sounds like a man possessed as far as this ambition is concerned, it?s because this is pretty much his last shot at fulfilling a boyhood dream ? performing in cricket?s greatest circus.

?This will be the pinnacle of my career because it?s everything you ever dreamed of as a player. I honestly feel all the players realise just how big a chance this is with five teams qualifying and that?s what?s got their desire up to want to make the team and be a part of it.

?It?s definitely the opportunity of a lifetime and we have to grasp it. When the players come to training they are surrounded by quality players and therefore they must put their time in because only 14 players are going to be selected out of the 30.

?It?s going to be tough and all of them want to be a part of it,? he said, adding that several players were even going to the gym on their own apart from the three scheduled weekly workouts.

Regarding how many of the 30 selectees have accepted the invitation to train, Smith said 26 players have made themselves available thus far.

?Stefan Kelly is away in school so that makes 27. Albert Steede I think will inform us shortly of his intentions which means 28 are accounted for so far.?

Asked about the remaining two players, the skipper declined to divulge their names but stated ?they have shown no interest at all?.

For the next month, the squad is likely to continue focusing on physical work before getting into some heavy net sessions.

?Somewhere along the line it?s going to be important that we play some games and the Board has indicated they are trying to line up matches.

?It all seems to be tying in pretty good. It?s just a matter of being patient and letting things take their place,? said Smith.

Not wanting to comment too much on the issue of picking a new national coach, the veteran player stressed ?that?s the Board?s concern...I?m sure they will have the matter sorted as soon as possible?.

However, he is confident whoever is chosen will fill the post admirably.

?I think both of the persons who appear to be in contention ? Daryll Cullinan and Clarence Parfitt ? would do a splendid job. I personally had the privilege of working with Cullinan in the past and I know he definitely comes with a strong background. He did a tremendous job last time with the players.

?He brought a very professional attitude and the players learnt a lot during the short period he was here.

?Regardless of which one they bring in I think it will be an exceptional addition our team.?