Bermuda Under-19s are fighting a complete dearth of outdoor practice facilities as they prepare for the next year's World Cup in Malaysia — but will overcome the handicap by grooving their way into form at two overseas training camps.

Pre-tournament workouts in Trinidad and then on the sub-continent are awaiting the green light from Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB), with nine matches against quality opposition on the cards.

So far the Under-19s have been unable to spread their wings in training due the National Sports Centre hosting the Bermuda Music Festival and last week's World Rugby Classic. The only other BCB sanctioned cricket ground, the Sea Breeze Oval, is out of bounds during the football season. Yesterday director of cricket development Arnold Manders voiced his frustrations at the squad being confined to indoor training, but insisted they would be sufficiently prepared for the showpiece, which starts in February.

"It's very frustrating not being able to train outside, especially for the bowlers who haven't been able to bowl off their full run-ups," lamented Manders. "But we're soldiering on and we've been able to do plenty of group work, with particular focus on fielding and fitness. The batsmen have also been able to get a full work-out.

"But two training camps are scheduled, one in December and one immediately before the World Cup, to finalise our preparations. We've chosen venues similar to the Malaysian climate, with similar wickets conducive to spin."

Fifty training sessions, up to three per week, were set aside for the Under-19s to prepare for their inaugural World Cup, for which they qualified by beating hosts Canada at the Americas Championships in August.

But a few of those practices had to be sacrificed to allow the senior squad to prepare for their recent tours of Kenya and United Arab Emirates (UAE), with Manders conceding there are just not enough training provisions on the Island. "We've been using the indoor nets at BHS and training at Berkeley gym as the National Sports Centre has been unavailable," said Manders.

"The women's national team has been using outdoor facilities at the Royal Naval Field ahead of their World Cup qualifiers in Pakistan (which have now been postponed).

"Sea Breeze Oval is holding football matches and, to be honest, its wicket is not the best during the season, let alone off-season. These are little things we've been fighting."

An 18-man squad will travel to the first training camp before being whittled down to 15 for the final workout from where the team will head to Malaysia. A number of players from the Under-15s ranks have been involved in the preparations, but the team will be bolstered by the talents of Malachi Jones, Rodney Trott, Tamauri Tucker, Kyle Hodsoll and Stefan Kelly who have all seen action with the senior side this year.

"Some of the guys involved have moved up from the Under-15 team which bodes well for the future. We will be losing about six or seven players after the World Cup so it's important to blood some youngsters."

Meanwhile Manders confirmed former Under-19 skipper Oronde Bascome, Kearon Trott and Dajon Carey would not be available because of school commitments in the US.