the Under-19 Youth World Cup in Sri Lanka in January.

However, their identity won't be known until Bermuda Cricket Board of Control complete the selection process.

While reports of the formation of an Americas squad from countries in the region had been circulating for some weeks, final plans were laid during the recent meeting in Toronto between the nations involved, officials from the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the West Indies Cricket Board.

Bermuda and Canada will each be sending four representatives to the event which will run from January 11-29 while three each will come from the United States and Argentina.

The squad of 14 will compete among four four-team groups with the Americas placed in a tough Group A alongside England, Zimbabwe and the West Indies.

"It's a significant development in youth cricket,'' said El James, president of the BCBC. "It's a step that will no doubt play an integral role in the continued progress of the young players in our region.'' James said negotiations were still ongoing with local players as the Board checked on their availability at the time of the event.

He noted that five youths had been identified and should all be available one would be placed on stand-by in case another had to drop out.

"We are now meeting with these players individually and with their families to discuss their situations and hopefully something will be confirmed within the next few days,'' he said.

"We realise that so much has to be considered, especially when work and school commitments are involved. But we remain hopeful that Bermuda will be in a position to have a full complement represented in the Select.'' While the Board has not named the five, among the probables are Stephen Outerbridge of Bailey's Bay, Chris Foggo, Landro Minors and O.J.Pitcher of St.

David's and Mackie Crane of St. George's. Outerbridge, Pitcher and Crane all toured with the senior national team this year to either Canada in the summer or to the recent Red Stripe Bowl in Jamaica.

The Board are keen to speed up the selection process as players will have to obtain the necessary documents and arrange for shots for typhoid, malaria and other diseases.

They are due to leave Bermuda on January 3 and remain in Sri Lanka until the team are eliminated.

"This will be a tremendous experience for our youngsters and others in the Americas region, to compete against the top 16 cricket nations in the World,'' added James.

"They will be playing against the best under-19 players in the World, the majority of whom will no doubt be on the cricket world stage over the next few years and carrying the banner for their respective countries at a Test level.'' The Under-19 World Cup is held every two years but this will be the only time a combined Americas squad will be allowed to compete.

In the future teams in the region will meet in a qualifying round to determine which country will advance to the finals.

Youth World Cup groups Group A: England, Zimbabwe, West Indies, Americas Group B: New Zealand, Inidia, Bangladesh, Holland Group C: South Africa, Pakistan, Kenya, Nepal Group D: Australia, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Namibia