next year for a cricket academy course run by the International Cricket Council.

But there remain a few things to consider first -- not least his job.

"I'm feeling very enthusiastic and I'm excited they chose me. If I go I know I will enjoy it,'' said the 22-year-old all-rounder who impressed while representing Bermuda at the ICC Trophy tournament in Malaysia earlier this year.

Tucker was identified among players from other developing cricketing countries such as Bangladesh, Ireland, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Argentina, Fiji, Malaysia, Denmark and Canada as having "promise and the potential to play cricket at a high level''.

The plan is to have those players participate in cricket academies in countries such as England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa for up to three months. It is part of the ICC's development plan to improve cricket in non-Test playing countries.

Dr. Ali Bacher of South Africa is the chairman of the ICC Development Committee and has been in contact with Bermuda Cricket Board of Control about Tucker's selection.

"I don't know too much about it, I know that they watched me in Malaysia and they asked the Board for me to come over to their camp for three or four months,'' explained Tucker yesterday.

"But I'm still thinking about it. I have a lot to think about before I give them my final decision.'' Tucker has spoken recently to his employers at Bermuda Telephone Company about being away.

"We discussed something yesterday but there are still some discussions that have to take place,'' he said.

Tucker has emerged as an outstanding athlete in both cricket and soccer, though that should not be too surprising as he is the son of former Somerset Cup Match and Bermuda cricket captain John Tucker who was also an outstanding footballer.

It was through soccer that Janeiro suffered a recurring knee injury that kept him out of the Somerset Cup Match team this year. If it came down to choosing between the two sports the youngster has no doubts about which it would be.

"At this point I would probably choose cricket,'' he stated. "With soccer there are a lot of injuries and I'm still trying to get over that knee injury which has been deteriorating over the years.''