cricket faces a wet season-opener this weekend.

The Western Stars-PHC match has been postponed, not because of wet conditions but because the wicket at St. John's field is not ready for play. No provisions have been made to reschedule matches in what will be a packed summer.

"Arnold (Manders) informed us two days ago he couldn't get a field,'' said Reggie Pearman, chairman of the match and scheduling committee at Bermuda Cricket Board of Control.

"We haven't made any plans (to reschedule the match) and I told Arnold to send a letter to the board so that we can make a decision on it.'' Pearman says sunshine will be needed today to dry out wickets after two days of rain. More rain is forecast.

If matches are played, the pick of the bunch should be at Sea Breeze Oval where defending overs champions Bailey's Bay meet Eastern Counties rivals St.

David's.

Bay have largely retained the same squad that won the title last year, though wicket keeper Roger Trott has announced his retirement and Corey Hill is back from a suspension that has been lifted by the board.

Jason Anderson, who has moved from St. George's, will take over from Trott behind the stumps, while another new signing for Bay is former Nationals attack bowler John Ray.

"Jason travelled with me when St. George's Community Centre took a team to Canada in 1992 and I was always impressed with the talent of this young boy,'' said Bay captain Charlie Marshall.

Marshall realises that, as champions, everybody will be gunning for Bay. He feels the team will be up to the challenge.

"I don't make predictions, I just try to encourage the players to be happy and enjoy the game and positive things will happen.

"Last weekend we had a prize presentation and each of the senior players picked a junior player and bought him a piece of gear for the season, a pair of gloves, pads, gear bags or whatever they needed.

"The senior players are very close with the junior players and when they do things like that they will be rewarded in the long run.'' The BCBC, in a bid to improve deportment on the field, have vowed to stamp down on bad behaviour, including foul language, following a meeting on Wednesday night with the umpires.

"My first desire for the season is to see a season where behaviour is exemplary, where it brings back old fashioned standards of gentlemanly conduct on the field,'' said BCBC president El James.

"We're looking for a better working relationship with the umpires. We had a tremendous meeting on Wedneday night and established some understanding where we know where each other is coming from.

"We are asking the players to eliminate profanity, even if they are talking to themselves or their team-mates.'' James confirmed that the new no-ball and wide laws, in which additional runs scored are also added, will be adopted for the season. A short-pitched ball that passes over the batsman's shoulders will also be called a no-ball.

In other matches tomorrow, St. George's are at home to Warwick at Wellington Oval, Police entertain Social Club at Police Field, Flatts travel west to meet Willow Cuts, Southampton Rangers host Cleveland and Devonshire Rec. welcome the visit of Somerset.

As a tribute to a number of ex-players who have passed away over the last few months, including former BCBC president Alma (Champ) Hunt, the board has asked that a one-minute silence be observed at the start of all matches as a show of respect.