Bermuda's premier spin bowler Dwayne (Sluggo) Leverock has urged his team-mates in the national squad to maintain a positive outlook and to try to turn recent adversities into triumph.

Leverock made his comments following Bermuda Cricket Board's decision to scrap next month's tour of Trinidad and Tobago.

That decision came on the heels of news that September's ICC World Cup Qualifying series in Los Angeles had been cancelled.

BCB president Reggie Pearman has said that the Board was now leaning towards sending the senior national team to this summer's Red Stripe Bowl in the Caribbean, a venue for which has yet to be determined.

Bermuda will also play host to next year's ICC Americas Senior Championship with the Island's national squad set to take on the likes of Argentina, USA, Canada and the Cayman Islands.

"It's very important that we continue to think positive and try to stay together," said Leverock, last season's top wicket taker with 66 scalps.

"We never know what other tournaments we may be able to compete in. That's why it's important for us to stay focused."

Leverock, more than most, will have been disappointed by the latest tour setbacks having undergone rigorous off-season training in preparation for what was initially considered to be a hectic summer for the senior squad.

The left-arm Western Stars and Somerset Cup Match spinner has been sweating it out at the Magnum Force Gym in an effort to shed several pounds.

And in January the gentle giant successfully completed a five-day spin bowling course at the prestigious Sir Lance Gibbs Finger Spinner's Camp in Antigua.

Leverock has vowed to continue attending national squad practice sessions at the Stonington campus while also turning out for training with Stars on Sundays.

Most of the Island's clubs have now stepped up their preparations ahead of the start of the 2003 season, tentatively scheduled to get underway early next month.

Leverock said the tour cancellations came at time when several players at the national level were beginning to step up their training - some of whom had earlier been reluctant to turn out.

"The numbers were just starting to increase and we had started to see more players coming out that weren't there in the beginning," said Leverock.

"The camaraderie was beginning to grow and it's just a bit unfortunate that we won't be going overseas to compete."

Leverock said he was still looking ahead to next year when the Island will host the ICC Americas Senior Championship.

"It's very disappointing but we just have to turn this adversity into something positive by sticking together because in the last tournament (Americas) we didn't do too well. But if we stay together we should do much better - and that is what's really important."