Former national captain Albert Steede and Richard Basden are among a 30-man training squad to be named by the Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) for next summer?s all-important ICC Trophy.

The list of players, which the BCB executive were expected to ratify at a meeting last night, is a blend of experience and youth with seasoned cricketers such as Corey Hill, Janeiro Tucker, Gregg Foggo, Hasan Durham, Dwayne (Sluggo) Leverock and Dennis Archer being summoned alongside youngsters Delyone Borden, O.J. Pitcher, Jacobi Robinson, Stephen Outerbridge, Allan Douglas Jr. and England-based schoolboy Stefan Kelly. Clay Smith has been retained to lead the Island in the crucial tournament ? a 2007 Cricket World Cup qualifier ? in Ireland in July.

The latter has openly called for Steede and Basden, both prolific scorers, to reconsider their relatively-recent retirements from international cricket to try to fulfil Bermuda?s dream of competing in the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies.

Whether either veteran accepts the invitation to represent their country is left to be seen but Smith has remained optimistic that the two will not let Bermuda down.

Meanwhile, hard-hitting batsman Tucker ? who has not played internationally since 2001 ? pledged his commitment to the cause if selected.

?I?ll go back if I am picked,? said the 29-year-old Southampton Rangers skipper yesterday.

?That?s every cricketer?s dream ? to play in the World Cup ? and it will be great if we get there.?

Meanwhile, BCB sources have indicated that money ? or rather a lack thereof ? is the crux of the hold-up over a new coach?s appointment.

The national governing body apparently needs a minimum of $200,000 (salary and benefits) to be able to offer Mark Harper?s successor a three-year contract and are seeking corporate and Government assistance to raise these funds before advertising the job. However, they hope everything will fall into place by January for the new coach to prepare Bermuda?s team for their Ireland assignment in which the top five finishers advance to the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

The coaching vacancy is already generating significant interest with Bermudian Sports Hall of Famer and Scotland-based coach Clarence Parfitt, former South African pro Daryll Cullinan, Barbados-born former Dutch coach Emerson Trotman and former West Indies and Barbados player Philo Wallace among those seeking to fill the breach.

Sports Minister Dale Butler confirmed yesterday that BCB has requested additional financing to help offset the cost of coaching, proposed training camps overseas and tours but he refused to be drawn on if Government?s purses would be opened for the national sport.

?Yes, we are considering their request ? and all other requests that have come in ? and have made presentations to (the) Finance (Ministry) who are looking at it along with all the other budgets,? explained Butler, adding that he is unable to guarantee an answer for the BCB by the end of the year.