Bermuda face their biggest test as a team since David Moore took charge when they begin their Intercontinental Shield clash with United Arab Emirates at the National Sports Centre this morning.

It is the side's first four-day game since the thrashing they recieved in Namibia in April, and will say much for the impact the Australian and his methods have had on the squad.

While last month's ICC Americas tournament tested the team to a certain extent, this week's game against a UAE side who need to win to make the final in Dubai in November will be a much tougher affair.

"It's a big test of how far the players have come since the game against Namibia," said Moore.

"We've been noticing the improvement in the players in the nets, and there has certainly been a building of awareness of how to play cricket, but it's all about being tested in the middle.

"UAE are obviously a very good side, they have come to win the game, and we want to win the game as well, as well as it being a test, it's about putting our skills in to practice and winning the game.

"We've had that Americas tournament in the middle of the trip to Namibia and the UAE game, and it's important for the players to get back and understand the four-day game.

"The skills and requirements of the four-day game, are the same as the one-day game, the ability to build an innings, and to maintain your intensity over long periods of time, and bowl a line and a length that's going to take wickets."

Moore will wait until this morning to name his final 11, but with three spinners at his disposal, and a turning wicket likely, it would be a surprise if he didn't play two of them.

Bermuda's task hasn't been made easier by Jekon Edness' decision to pull out. Edness apparently told members of the team that he had lost the motivation to play international cricket, and had viewed the last two weeks of training as being more like a job than anything.

His departure means that 16-year-old Christian Burgess will make his debut behind the stumps for Bermuda, but Moore has no qualms about playing the St George's youngster.

"I have no concerns about playing him. He's keen, he's enthusiastic, he's available, and he wants to play for Bermuda.

"He sees it as an honour to play for Bermuda and he's got no excuses as to why he shouldn't play for Bermuda, so he's in the side."