Bermuda's best young cricketers were last night waiting to hear whether all four of them would make the final 11 for the Americas opening Youth World Cup game in Sri Lanka.

The Americas squad, comprised of Bermudians OJ Pitcher, Landro Minors, Stephen Outerbridge and Chris Foggo, along with a smattering of Canadians, Americans and Argentinians, had the hardest start possible on the opening day of the tournament, taking on holders England.

But they won both their practice games comfortably and were set to go into the match in confident mood.

The team was expected to be selected by manager Michael Glasford, administrator at the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control, and Canadian coach Ron Dipchand.

Left-hand batsman Minors and all-rounder Outerbridge will in particular hope to be in the starting line-up after they both performed well in a 59-run victory over Sri Lankan club side Hambantota.

Minors made a useful undefeated 28, while Outerbridge struck 30 as the Americas compiled 191 for 8 in their 32 overs before restricting the hosts to 132-5.

Chris Foggo was out for a duck but he got his first runs on Sri Lankan soil in the following game against Badulla, which the Americas won by seven wickets.

The opening bat and wicketkeeper made 19 and Minors another 17 as their side reached their 121 target with plenty of time to spare.

BCBC president El James said last night: "I understand the boys were a bit jet-lagged at first, but they're slowly coming out of it. They're getting the royal treatment and police escorts everywhere.'' England, meanwhile, who are managed by former Leicestershire captain James Whittaker, are looking to retain a title won two years ago when they beat New Zealand in the final in Johannesburg. Whittaker, who retired from county cricket last summer at the age of 37 after struggling with a knee injury for two seasons, was in an upbeat mood, but admitted he did not know too much about England's first opponents.

He said: "Preparations have gone very well and everyone is in good shape. We have won our two warm-up games here convincingly and have put in some hard middle practice.

"The team spirit is good and the atmosphere one of quiet determination. It is very hard to assess the strengths of the opposition because we have not seen many of them play, but we will now just focus on going out and winning the cup again.'' The tournament's 16 teams are initially divided into four groups of four. The Americas must also play Zimbabwe on January 13 and the West Indies, managed by former Test batsman Gus Logie, two days later. The top two from each group will progress to a Super League stage, from which the semi-finals will be decided.

The two teams failing to qualify for the Super League go into two other groups for a plate competition.