FROM PHIL ASCOUGH NORTHAMPTON -- The mystery men of English cricket await Bermuda at the Christ Church College ground in Oxford today.

None of the tourists know quite what to expect from the Minor Counties side, but all are confident that the match should be less of a hurdle than that presented by the Northants second XI on Monday in their tour opener.

Bermuda spent yesterday learning the lessons of their 82-run defeat at Northampton and planning the changes for the second match of the tour. They were given warm encouragement from the Northants chief executive, Steve Coverdale, who predicted that the tourists "will win more matches than they lose.'' Coverdale singled out wicketkeeper Dean Minors for praise after Monday's match in which the youngster failed to concede a single bye.

The former England `A' tour manager said. "Bermuda must be pretty pleased with their performance as far as batting is concerned but there are one or two areas to tighten up with the ball.

"They also learned an awful lot about movement in the field. Bermuda should be capable of beating the Minor Counties and they should win more games than they lose on this tour.'' While Terry Burgess and Anthony (Pacer) Edwards claimed wickets as their rewards for persistence, the other four bowlers failed to find a way through.

In addition, all except Edwards were expensive. But this was identified as more of a fielding problem and attempts were made yesterday to find a solution.

Team manager McDonald Swan said: "It was a great learning game for Bermuda.

Northants ran 25 twos and we ran 25 singles because their field placings were much better than ours.'' Skipper Wendell Smith added: "The main thing I learned as captain was that I needed to have my fielders in about 10 yards because it was such a big field we gave up too many doubles.

"We have been working on that and we have also practised running between the wickets to try and turn some of our singles into doubles.'' Smith expressed satisfaction with the bowlers, particularly the opening pair of Burgess and Edwards, and the batsmen. And he revealed that as the run rate began to climb the decision was taken to spend time in the middle and reach a respectable score.

"Our opening bowlers started off excellently but we struggled a little with the change bowlers and we gave up a lot of runs towards the end of their innings.'' On the batting side Smith and Noel Gibbons singled out Charlie Marshall, whose unbeaten 55 included a huge six smashed back over the bowler's head.

Smith noted: "I told Charlie afterwards that it was the best I have ever seen him play. He was batting very straight and never even hit the ball through mid-wicket in the entire innings. He was cutting, driving and hooking very well.'' Gibbons added: "I have been around since Charlie started playing and I think he's playing his best ever cricket now.'' Gibbons, who was more than useful in the field on Monday, is likely to be rested for today's fixture but the selectors are confident of being able to pick from a fully fit squad.

Arnold Manders has a slight shoulder problem but should be available while Ricky Hill has had no further problems with the toe injury which he picked up while fielding on Monday.

Smith said the aim today will be to become meaner in the field and more economical with the ball, but he admitted to knowing little about today's opponents.

In the main, Minor Counties comprise former professionals who are either past their best or who have other commitments which get in the way of full time cricket.

They should not be as strong as other sides preparing to meet Bermuda but the tourists will still need to play a solid match. A feature of their play against Northants was the way in which they refused to allow the batsmen to settle, and it is evident of their concentration that two opponents were run out.

However, the fact that so many runs came off the first and last balls of overs suggests that the level of concentration was often well below 100 per cent.

Competition for places in county sides is such that none of Bermuda's matches against second teams is likely to be easy, but it will be difficult to find a better side than Northants.

The first team is second in the County Championships, but the absence of a top fixture this week made at least six first team players available to face the tourists.

They could hardly have had a greater incentive. The Pakistani Test squad is due at the County Ground on Saturday and at least three young Northants players have forced their way into the reckoning on their strength of their performances against Bermuda.

DEAN MINORS -- Praised for his opening tour match performance.