a Bermuda Select embarks on a short, two-match tour of Florida in mid-April.

Allan Douglas, the new chairman of the BCBC Selectors and coach of the team, confirmed yesterday that Albert Steede will lead the team which will also include Dean Minors, Clay Smith, Glenn Smith, Clarkie Trott, Graham Fox, Roger Blades, Del Hollis, Hasan Durham and two promising young medium pace bowlers, Kevin Hurdle and Daniel Caines. One or two other names will be added, depending on availability.

The team -- managed by Rudolph Lawrence -- will depart Bermuda on Thursday, April 13 and will play their first match, a day-night contest, against the USA Select on Good Friday. The second match will be against a Florida Cricket Association Select on Easter Sunday, both matches taking place at the New York Yankees spring training complex in Fort Lauderdale.

"One of the things we're trying to do is set a standard and a long range plan for 1997 (next ICC Trophy),'' said Douglas, who explained that the more senior players of the national team were not being discarded. He stressed the need for youngsters to be given exposure at the international level.

"We're trying to prepare so that we have a lot of players to choose from internationally who are groomed for the future. This will keep the others on their toes and enhance our chances at the youth level as well.'' The tour will enable the youngsters to get in some preparation in time for the visit here by the Australians in early May. They will play three matches, against a St. George's Cup Match XI on May 11, a BCBC President's XI on May 13 and the Bermuda team on May 14.

The new season begins on April 16 with the first round of Premier League matches which will also take place on some Saturdays during the summer so the league campaign can be completed by August 6.

(See page 18 for schedule of major matches for the 1995 cricket season).

The Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association will be holding cricket lectures at the Warwick Workmen's Club tonight at 7.15 p.m. All western clubs are invited to attend.

Albert Steede