CC in the third match of their Jamaican tour today.

But despite the two heavy defeats to the Jamaican national team, skipper Albert Steede is in high spirits as he prepares for the final three matches which are helping to ready the team for the ICC Trophy Tournament in Keyna next month.

Bermuda lost by nine wickets at Sabina Park last Wednesday and were defeated by 144 runs at Kaiser Park on Thursday before a rapturous crowd at Discovery Bay in Montego Bay.

"So far I think we have played to the best of our ability and the results really do not justify the actual playing,'' said Steede.

"Thursday's outing had the makings of an upset when Bermuda bowled and fielded well for 45 overs. Then the bottom fell out.

"In the last five overs, Courtney Walsh got the upperhand on our bowlers and started beating the ball around,'' added Steede.

"With our batting, the plan was to have a solid start. Their bowlers really tied our opening batsmen down so much that we didn't recover. And with myself, Arnold (Manders) and Charlie (Marshall) trying to come in and push the score along and getting out cheaply, we decided to just bat the 50 overs with the least amount of wickets being lost.'' Walsh and all-rounder Robert Haynes were at the wicket with the score 175 for eight and five overs left and they proceeded to put on a rapid 79 against fast bowler Kenny Phillips and medium-pacer Noel Gibbons.

Jamaica then reinforced their strong position by bowling tightly to openers Dexter Smith and Allan Richardson as only 35 runs were made in the first 17 overs.

The introduction of leg-spinner Haynes, who finished with five for 13 from 10 overs, kept Bermuda on the rack and they were unable to get off.

Steede admitted that he has a deeper respect for the quality cricket played in Jamaica.

"They are of higher quality then I expected,'' he said. "Most of the players are professionals. In fact, many play in England, so they are of higher quality.

"They are so consistent in all aspects of the game. If we try to be as consistent we can play at a higher level as well.'' Bermuda made five changes for today's game with Clevie Wade, Dean Minors, Bruce Perinchief, Anthony Edwards and Quinton Burch -- in his first game on tour -- set to replace Noel Gibbons, Terry Burgess, Allan Richardson, Del Hollis and Charlie Marshall.

Opening bat Wendell Smith experienced some tenderness in his right knee and has decided to rest for today's match. However, he expects to be fit for the last two games of the tour against Kensington CC and Lucas CC tomorrow and Thursday.

Marshall said that the precautionary X-rays he had after being struck during the first game was no big thing.

"The ball just glided across my hat and X-rays were only suggested to be on the safe side,'' said Marshall. "I returned to bat and felt fine, and I still feel fine right up to this moment,'' he said last night.

QUINTON BURCH -- Plays his first game today.