Bermuda's bid for glory at next month's Americas Cup tournament suffered another major setback yesterday when top batsman Albert Steede pulled out of the squad.

The Bermuda Cricket Board of Control submitted a 14-man team for the event, being held in Argentina at the beginning of March, only last week.

The team were already minus talented bats Glenn Blakeney, persona non grata at the BCBC for his absence from training, and Clay Smith, who pulled out citing work and family commitments.

Now with Steede gone, and his Western Stars' team-mate Jermaine Postlethwaite also having pulled out, it remains to be seen just what kind of a showing the side can make against Argentina, the Bahamas, the Caymans, the USA and Canada.

Although a replacement, or replacements, will be found, the latest news is an unwanted headache for new BCBC president Reggie Pearman and proves his brief honeymoon period is well and truly over.

"I can confirm now that both Postlethwaite and Albert Steede have indicated they are unavailable for the tour," said Pearman yesterday. "I haven't seen a letter (from Steede) myself but there is one waiting for me at the (BCBC) office so I am led to understand from my secretary."

Pearman said Steede's decision in particular was a blow.

"Albert is one of the premier batsmen on the Island and naturally when you lose someone like him it is a big spoke out of the wheel," he said, adding he was unaware of the player's reason for wthdrawing.

"I have heard rumours but until I find out exactly what it is from Albert that is about all I can say right now," he said.

Pearman said he did not think there was much chance of a change of heart.

"I think his mind is pretty much made up as such," he said. "I don't know whether it's down to personal commitments. I can't really shed any more light on it until I have reviewed everything."

The president said there was no question of the team pulling out of the tournament at this late stage.

"It is still worth going," he said. "I think it is still worth going because the competition itself will be worth it as such.

"Other guys were picked. We had 17 or 18 players so we can go into the pool to make the numbers up."

Pearman said he could not say who would fill the gaps but a decision would be made "as soon as possible".

"Naturally, everything has to be sorted out and they have to make their personal arrangements," he said. "I would think in the next few days something will happen."

Steede did not return calls made to his home yesterday.