tour of Jamaica, but are expected to be competitive, according to Bermuda Cricket Board of Control president Ed Bailey.

Speaking following Tuesday night's board meeting, where the most explosive news was the dismissal of star batsman Ricky Hill from the squad, Bailey said that winning is not the sole objective at this point...but that will change when they get to Kenya.

"We expect for our boys to be competitive in Jamaica, but I'm not foolish...Jamaica's national team is better than ours,'' Bailey said bluntly. "For not one moment in the day am I going to expect our boys to go down there and beat them badly or anything, especially on their home turf.

"The object is to condition ourselves and get the experience against this sort of bowling on pitches like that.

"My suspicion is that, yes, we'll probably lose the majority of the games, but the thing is that we'll learn twice as much if we do go down there. "I think that if you are away from conditioning -- and losing is all about conditioning -- it's like if you write an exam and say, `I'm not going to write that exam because I'm going to fail'.'' Bailey added that the mental state of the squad appeared at an all-time high and that the tour should push them closer to peak levels.

He appreciated how the motivation and leadership provided by the more experienced members, such as Arnold Manders, Noel Gibbons and Charlie Marshall, was rubbing off on the others, something desperately needed on any team who aspire to be champions.

"The morale is extremely high, surprisingly high...I've never seen it higher at any other stages and I've been present at two other ICC competitions,'' Bailey continued.

"I think Jamaica will be the paramount part of it, because I think it will put that sort of razor edge and determination in the group.'' When asked if massive defeats while in the Caribbean could have a detrimental effect on the psyche of the bunch, Bailey sternly rebuked the assertion.

At the moment two matches are scheduled against the Jamaican Red Stripe side, who may include the likes of West Indies Test pacer Courtney Walsh, as well as left-hand opening batsman Robert Samuels, fast bowler Franklyn Rose and spinners Nehemiah Perry and Robert Haynes.

Samuels, Perry and Rose toured Bermuda during the summer as members of a West Indies Select.

Michael Holding will coach the Bermuda squad for the duration of their time in the tropical Island where games also pit them against club teams, such as Kensington Cricket Club and Lucas Cricket Club.

In closing, Bailey mentioned how the board was optimistic of averting a cash shortfall -- originally estimated at $30,000 -- due to several employers balking at having to pay players their full salary for the duration of the Kenya commitment.

Bailey is also hopeful that sponsors will be more forthcoming in the New Year.

ED BAILEY.