confirmed for the Bermuda national cricket team's training trip to Guyana, starting on Friday.

Bermuda Cricket Board of Control president Ed Bailey verified that all-rounder Lionel Cann and batsman Clay Smith had been added to the 14-player squad in place of medium-pace bowler Gregg Foggo and all-rounder Janeiro Tucker. And he noted that attempts were still being made to find an additional game or two for the tourists.

"We have a good, young squad and we expect them to benefit a lot from this tour. We are slightly disappointed that senior players such as Charlie Marshall cannot go, but the squad is still a good one,'' said Bailey.

"What coach Douglas wants, and I agree with him, is to throw these young players on the fast track and see how they cope. But the object is to train as much as we can, putting emphasis on the players' physical condition.'' Foggo pulled out because of injury while Tucker has recently taken on a new job and has to work for three consecutive months if he is to be made available for the ICC Trophy in March.

Like Douglas, Bailey supported the decision to waiver the week left on Cann's suspension which was to have concluded at the end of the year.

"The executives have waived the rest of his time. Since we put his name in the squad of 25 to be eligible for Malaysia, it made sense. We have reviewed his situation, we got a good report of his progress from his Scottish club. It was really a glowing one,'' said Bailey.

"I personally was impressed with it and so were my other committee members, and since his suspension was to end while the tour was in progress his inclusion was the right thing for us to do. It's our chance to have a good look at him, it wouldn't be fitting to hold him back.'' The president said he was delighted that former West Indies Test all-rounder Joe Solomon was assisting Bermuda's efforts by providing his club team, Plantation CC, as one of the tour opponents. And Bailey said that there was also the possibility that Solomon would find time himself to assist the Bermuda squad with their training.

"We have established close relations with Solomon. He has been most helpful and we are hoping that he will be able to find time to give some assistance to the team as well.'' Bermuda play their first game against Guyana on December 29 and then take on Everest CC on December 31. On January 2 they meet Plantation CC, followed by a game against Demarara CC on January 4. A game against a youth team is being planned for January 5 with two other matches pencilled in over the following two days.

Bailey was yesterday awaiting further confirmation of matches from the secretary of the Guyanese Cricket Board of Control, David De-Groot.

Tour party: Albert Steede (captain), Dean Minors, Jermaine Postlethwaite, Arnold Manders, Dexter Smith, Bruce Perinchief, Del Hollis, Corey Hill, Jason Simons, Jeff Richardson, Roger Trott, Kevin Hurdle, Clay Smith, Lionel Cann.