The Australian Test team's schedule in Bermuda in May has been cut from five to three matches, Bermuda Cricket Board of Control president Ed Bailey disclosed yesterday.

Bailey explained that the Australians, who were last here in 1991 when they also played three matches at the end of their last tour of the West Indies, were reluctant to play too many games as they were keen to relax at the end of what will be a demanding schedule in the West Indies.

The tourists have volunteered, instead, to spend some of their spare time in the schools and in the clubs. They will be arriving in Bermuda on Murray Brown's charter on Saturday May 6, two days after the final Test in Jamaica.

"Their time off the field is going to be just as good as their time on the field,'' Bailey promised.

Despite the reduced schedule the BCBC still stands a good chance of reaping a profit as the Aussies, rated as one of the top two teams in world cricket, will not be demanding professional fees to play here.

The tour is considered a goodwill one and Bailey confirmed that three major sponsors had been secured with the Bank of Bermuda, John Barritt and Sons and Burrows Lightbourne, through their products Dewars and Heineken, had come to the board's assistance.

"I would say that with the good fortune of sponsorship we can cover a substantial part of the cost,'' said Bailey yesterday. "And if we're blessed with good weather and good crowds there will be profits which will be used for the International Youth Tournament.'' The BCBC, who are responsible for getting the Australians to Bermuda only, will bring them here on the charter out of Jamaica, where a number of Bermudians will be in attendance. On the flight home they will have the opportunity to rub shoulders with the likes of captain Mark Taylor, David Boon, Shane Warne, Craig McDermott and the Waugh twins, Steve and Mark.

That, Bailey is pleased to say, will eliminate having to travel to the United States and the additional job of securing visas.

"We are responsible for their travel cost from the West Indies to Bermuda, but the further cost will be included with the West Indies Board's expenses,'' explained Bailey.

"What we asked them to do is come on the charter and eliminate 12 to 14 hours and also the problems of coming through the US. They are going to be here for nine days and what they have promised, if we stick with the fixtures as in the 1991 tour, is they would make themselves available for public appearances at schools and clubs.'' The dates for the three matches in Bermuda will be May 11, 13 and 14 with the opponents for the opening match on the Thursday still to be decided. The other two matches will be against the President's XI on the Saturday and the Bermuda national team on the 14th.

In '91 the Australians were warmly received and the same is anticipated in May, with several hundred Bermudians travelling to the various Islands in the Caribbean to watch them play the West Indies in what is being dubbed the unofficial `world championship'.

Since their last trip to this part of the world the likes of captain Allan Border, Geoff Marsh, Greg Matthews, Peter Taylor, Mike Whitney, Mike Veletta, Bruce Reid, Dean Jones and Terry Alderman have all moved on to make way for a new crop of youngsters.

MARK TAYLOR -- Australian captain will be one of the star attractions during May visit.