Two cricketers expected to become mainstays in the Bermuda national team over the next decade, Dean Minors and Glenn Smith, have given the current programme headed by coach Allan Douglas a huge vote of confidence.

Both Minors, who is due to return home today after staying behind in England following the recent Bermuda tour, and Smith feel the team is in good shape under the guidance of Douglas and his coaching staff.

Their confidence is based on the recent tour results which saw Bermuda undefeated in five matches against quality English select sides.

"The tour told me a lot,'' said Minors, "most importantly that we are really starting to blend as a team. I am convinced that we are on the right track.

Allan (Douglas) has a lot of insight, and as far as I am concerned only good things can happen from here on.'' Smith agreed, noting that the blend of youth and experience appeared to be working. And he said he was now looking forward to joining the squad for future tournaments at the end of his season with Benwell in the Northumberland League.

"I was pleased with the Bermuda team's performance. The harmony was there, the desire was there and the players just looked good throughout,'' said Smith, who may be back home on July 20 to play for Bailey's Bay against Flatts in the first round of the Eastern Counties Cup.

"I think they are pretty much well on their way to becoming ready for the Shell/Sandals competition. I'm certainly looking foward to being included, providing the selectors see it fit to include me.

"The make-up of the squad is good. Some may question the fast bowling, especially without previous mainstays like Terry Burgess and Anthony Edwards, but the truth of the matter is you don't always need pace because steady line and length bowling can be just as effective.'' While staying with Smith, after the rest of the squad returned on Tuesday, Minors has attempted to persuade his friend to come back for Cup Match next month -- or at least be involved in the mandatory final trial match scheduled for Wellington Oval on the Saturday before the classic.

"We've talked about a possible date for him to return home and play. He just needs to play in that last trial,'' said Minors who is the vice-captain of the St. George's team.

With Minors and Clay Smith, who will captain the Cup Match team this year for the first time, having seen Smith in action on tour, both are well aware of the form that the 22-year-old left-hander has displayed in England this summer.

Smith struck a century against Bermuda while appearing for a Northumberland Select team and then followed that by hitting a half century after being included in the national team.

"There is no doubt that Glenn is in good form at the moment, we certainly hope that things will be worked out for him to get home to play in one match so that he can be considered for Cup Match,'' said Minors.

Smith said if he returned for the Eastern Counties opener, he would remain in Bermuda for Cup Match, his English club having already tentatively given approval for him to travel for these commitments.

But more than anything, he is focusing on representing Bermuda in the Shell/Sandals, the tour of Jamaica at the end of the year and then the prestigious ICC Trophy tournament in Malaysia next March-April.

In Benwell's last league fixture on Sunday, Smith scored 53 against Ainnick CC.