One of the features of this year's busy cricket schedule will be an incoming cricket tour by top British public school Eton College, an under-19 squad whose players include Prince William, son of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana.

However, a source in London indicated yesterday that the teenage prince would not be among the touring party as he would be studying for his `A' level exams.

The school team are set to visit in April and will play matches against Bermuda's under-19 squad and possibly two games against Premier Division sides, according to Bermuda Cricket Board of Control president El James.

While other tours, incoming and outgoing, are still being negotiated, James said all age groups would be involved in this year's international fixtures.

"We want to have at least four national teams embodied at the same time, all having international competitions to play -- I'm talking from the under-13s to the senior squads,'' said James.

"There is no doubt that our season is going to be busy and one that all players should look forward to. We have the Caymans' under-15s coming in some time in July to play our under-15s, Eton College and a couple of our senior teams.

"Also we have the senior team going out to play in the regional competition in Canada just after Cup Match and then we have the Red Stripe Bowl. These are the two biggest competitions that we will have.

James added: "We are excited about having Eton College come in. Prince William plays for them and we thought it was possible he might travel with the team. We understand that they have a quality group of players.'' Meanwhile, James said local cricket fans concerned about not having seen a Test squad visit since the new BCBC executive took over two years ago, should be patient.

He pointed out that the Board's immediate priority was being placed on development, saying it was vital to concentrate on getting new players into the game after the sport had been void of a junior programme for an eight-year period prior to his administration.

"In the past we have had a lot of Test teams coming in and that's still something that we have on the back burner, but right now the development plans are more of a priority,'' he said.

"While the focus is on development we can't forget about our senior squad because we have to maintain our level and reputation on the international scene.

"Right now we are ranked ninth among the associate countries with Canada ahead of us, but we must remember that during our last matches with Canada in August we did win the series, so we are looking towards moving up those rankings. We want to be up among the top three, if not qualify for the World Cup ... and I think we can do that.'' As regards the vacant position of national coach, there is still no indication that the post might be offered to former Bermuda star Clarence Parfitt who returned from Scotland recently.

Without mentioning Parfitt's name, James revealed it was his hope to have somebody appointed by at least mid-summer, before the senior squad play their international matches.

"We are really trying hard right now, it would be great to get one. We have to have a coach aboard if we are going to prepare properly for the ICC qualifier next year,'' he said.

"We can't do it with a part-time coach. If we don't have a full-time coach I think it would be very optimistic for me to say that we are going to qualify for the next World Cup. Allan Douglas has served us well. In fact for a part-time coach he has done extremely well, but the time has come for us right now to go full-time.''