Bermuda begin their bid to win the ICC Americas Championship against Bahamas today in a game that they will be expected to win quite comfortably.

The home side have a good mixture of youth and experience in a squad that includes the likes of David Hemp, Irving Romaine and Janeiro Tucker, all three of whom have captained the team.

With Stephen Outerbridge, Rodney Trott and Malachi Jones also present, Bermuda have a wealth of international experience in several key positions.

But the home side can't afford to be complacent. Bahamas are in the tournament as winners of the Division Two competition in February, and have already stated their intention to cause an upset.

For that reason, if nothing else, it would seem likely that Bermuda head coach David Moore will play his best side in the opening game.

The Australian is also likely to want to make the strongest possible statement of intent for the tournament, and thumping Bahamas would certainly send out the right message.

Moore is also surely cognisant of the fact that with USA and Canada capable of racking up big totals, run rate could well become a deciding factor in who wins the whole competition.

The home side will also face a tricky test tomorrow when they take on Argentina at Bailey's Bay, with the South American side facing their second tough game in two days.

Argentina begin their campaign today against defending champions USA at St George's, and while coach Toby Bailey recognises that his side face a tough start to the competition, he isn't too focused on the opposition.

"The US are probably punching above their weight in terms of what World Division they are in, they are probably ranked a bit lower than they should be," said Bailey. "And Bermuda played in the last World Cup, so they are going to be a good side.

"We know that we have improved a lot in the last six months. We know what we are capable of, it's obviously very different over here. But it's the old cliche, we're not worried about them we really want to concentrate on what we're doing to be honest.

"I think we have to be aware of the differences between here and Argentina. Just from doing practice we have to realise there is going to be wind, quite a lot of the time, so that will make a difference when the ball is up in the air. The grounds are smaller, the pitches are different, the outfields are different.

"We'll have to play with different tactics, but as long as everybody is aware of that, and we've talked about that, we're going to have to adapt during games. But that's the advantage of Bermuda playing at home, rather than it being us in Argentina."

For all the sides this tournament is about pride more than anything. There are no ranking points at stake, there's no prize money, it's all about playing well, winning, and setting a tone for the rest of the season.

Argentina also have one eye on the World Division Four tournament in Italy in August, when a strong showing could boost their ICC funding.

"The aim is Italy, and the World Division Four Championships, which the US and Cayman Islands are in," said Bailey. "So this (week) is very important, but it's not as important as Italy. They're both important, but Italy, and success in Italy, raises funds, that sort of thing. Ultimately that's what we're aiming for, and we're not looking at anything ahead of that really."

In the last of today's three opening games, Canada take on Cayman Islands at Lords. All matches start at 10.30 a.m.