Bermuda Cricket Board of Control hold their annual meeting tonight. The meeting at Warwick Workmen's Club starts at 7 p.m.

People closely connected to the sport were yesterday amazed at the short notice given by the Board for the meeting -- two being aware that it was being held when contacted by The Royal Gazette to comment on whether James intended to run or not.

"I can't believe that they would hold a meeting without giving reasonable notice, it's just baffling for the executive committee to do this at a time when we were so encouraged by their leadership.

"One would think that they would have advertised the meeting well in advance so that they would attract as many people as possible,'' said one. James himself has been unavailable and has not returned calls left for him over the last few days.

During recent weeks he has hinted that he was considering stepping down because of his heavy workload since being elected a Government MP in last November's General Election.

Sources also say he has hinted he would stay on if an office administrator was found. It is understood that this post is likely to be created.

Among the highlights from tonight's meeting in addition to the election of officers will be the Board's explanation of their investigation into the whereabouts of money that was unaccounted for -- all of which was the responsibility of the former administration.

One primary issue was the question of $21,083.99 in Barclays Bank in England that had dwindled to a mere $642.38. Another that has come to light since the last administration was ousted concerns the payment of roughly $40,000 to Australian Bobby Simpson for his role as a consultant to the Bermuda ICC Trophy team in Malaysia in 1997.