National team cricketers Jekon Edness and Stephen Outerbridge have joined their Bermuda team-mates whose opening tour match in Trinidad fell victim to inclement weather yesterday.

The pair arrived in Couva, Trinidad last Saturday from the UK where they are currently enrolled at the University of Wales Institute Cardiff (UWIC).

Both players impressed last summer at the senior national level with Outerbridge hitting a career-best 113 against Scotland in the ICC Intercontinental Cup at the National Sports Centre (NSC).

Bermuda vice-captain, David Hemp, will also join up with the rest of his team-mates this weekend in St. Lucia.

After heavy overnight showers put paid to any hopes off facing off against a Trinidad and Tobago Under-23 squad yesterday, Bermuda's cricketers took full advantage of the indoor practise facilities at the Sir Frank Worrell Development Centre where they are also currently based.

The Islanders arrived in the Caribbean for a 13-match, month-long training exercise geared towards April's World Cup qualifiers in South Africa last Thursday, and since then have completed a "gruelling" seven-mile hike designed to encourage "team bonding".

"It was very hot and some of the guys had sore feet, but everybody survived the hike," commented Bermuda manager Lionel Tannock.

"Saturday's expedition was a tough one, but everyone rose to the ocassion."

So far the tourists have yet to get a feel for outdoor turf conditions. And with more rain forecast for today, chances of any play against a Trinidad and Tobago Under-23 XI appear slim, although Tannock remainsed optimistic the match would proceed as planned.

Bermuda are scheduled to play four matches in Trinidad before departing for St. Lucia on Sunday.