Bermuda may be without three leading players for the Red Stripe Bowl one-day cricket tournament, The Royal Gazette has learned.

Former national captain Albert Steede, Clay Smith, a hero at last year's tournament in Jamaica, and wicket-keeper Dean Minors, are soon off to school with competition set to begin in Guyana in the beginning of October.

Steede leaves at the end of the month for an intensive one-year Master's programme at the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica.

Smith is returning to Anderson College in South Carolina next week to complete his degree while Minors, who missed last year's tournament for similar reasons, returns abroad to complete his Master's.

"First things first,'' said Steede yesterday when confirming that his availability looked doubtful. "I'm not sure if my schedule will allow me to participate. If I can't I'll just have to miss it. "It's going to be a demanding programme and if it's going to interfere with my work, then I won't worry about it.'' Smith, Bermuda's top batsman last year with two centuries, had not ruled out being able to join the team. He has a fall break at that same time of the month and may be able to fit in the short tour. "It's around fall break time and it's just a matter of making sure it doesn't fall into any of my exams around that time,'' said Smith. "I definitely would like to go. I checked into the dates so that once I get out there I can try to organise things right away.'' While releasing the news this week that the team would be participating, Bermuda Cricket Board of Control president El James assured that there was no consideration given to avoiding the competition.

"Last year's tournament caused the West Indies Cricket Board all sorts of problems mainly because of the difficulty they faced in finding a sponsor. I would hope that the confusion that Turn to page 21 Board places faith in Windies organisers Continued from page 19 took place will be avoided this year and that things will go as planned without any similar hitches,'' said James, whose other concern a year ago was that his executive had only recently been installed.

The WICB was last year forced to put the tournament back a month to October; and the actual playing dates and venues were not finalised until the end of September, leaving James and his board facing many organisational problems at the 11th hour.

What made it even more difficult for the BCBC was that the WICB was in disarray and unable to provide the countries involved with advanced information that was imperative for team selection and travelling plans. But James was optimistic this time, claiming that recent correspondence from the Caribbean suggested that the WICB was attempting to avoid any similar recurrence. "We are really encouraged by what we have heard from them so far.

But there was never a chance of us pulling out. This competition is important for us, it's vital that Bermuda compete as often as possible against teams in the Caribbean,'' said James. "By competing we are setting a firm foundation for the youngsters coming through the junior programmes. After seeing them do so well during the recent tour of Canada, I am certain that as they progress and advance to our national team we will see the true benefits of the current development programmes that are under way.'' Bermuda lost all four matches last year, but their performance was nothing to be ashamed of, according to the president.

"We were competitive and many of our players did well such as Clay Smith and some of our bowlers. The team performed admirably and there is an incentive for all to try to improve on that showing,'' he said.

James said that the national team would be assembled soon, probably by the weekend, with Allan Douglas and his team of coaches expected to be involved once again.

Meanwhile the BCBC was not prepared to comment on the Richard Basden suspension matter with James revealing that its position could possibly be made public in a day or two.

Basden was banned from all cricket for a period of five club matches before Cup Match but played last weekend after missing only one match.

His brother and captain, Dexter Basden, stated that Richard was given the all-clear to play by the Appeals Committee, which is still sitting on the issue.

ALBERT STEEDE -- Planning to resume his studies in Jamaica.