Bermuda will play Trinidad and Tobago in the opening preliminary round match of the newly-entitled Red Stripe Bowl, it was learned yesterday.

While no official notification was received yesterday from Bermuda Cricket Board of Control about the change of name and format of the previously known Shell/Sandals tournament, it is understood that Red Stripe of Jamaica have officially taken over sponsorship of the Caribbean event and the preliminary rounds will be played in Jamaica and Guyana.

Bermuda's first match is on March 4, their second against the Windward Islands on March 5 and the third against Jamaica on March 8.

The quarter-finals will be played in Jamaica on October 11 and the semi-finals and finals are scheduled to take place also in Jamaica on October 17 and 20 respectively.

Teams competing in the second group are Guyana, Barbados, Canada and the Leeward Islands. The semi-finalists will travel to Jamaica.

A source in Jamaica said yesterday that other details about the tournament were not yet finalised, such as the exact venues and accommodation arrangements.

But he ruled out the likelihood of matches being played at the famous Test ground in Kingston, Sabina Park.

"There is a lot of work going on there. The wicket has just been grassed and will be left to set for at least another month or two,'' said the source.

One fact that likely won't please Bermuda national coach Allan Douglas is that the games will probably be played on the north coast and consequently require much travelling.

It is believed that the new sponsors are eager to have the games played in tourist areas, taking the event to visitors since few feel comfortable about staying in Kingston.

Grounds which may play host to matches are those such as Kaiser Park in Discovery Bay, Alpark, which is west of Mandeville, and two parks in the popular tourist resort of Ocho Rios.

Bermuda's squad is set to fly out to Jamaica on October 2.