other sports -- particularly soccer -- has apparently been laid to rest with each agreeing to exclusively commit, in writing, to cricket until the end of the tournament in Kenya.

BCBC president Ed Bailey said that there was minimal objection to the signing of an agreement tying players to a single sport for the next 12 weeks.

"We discussed that they make cricket their exclusive sport and no other sport between now and March 7, and if they are in breach of that agreement the board reserves the right to discharge them from the squad,'' Bailey said during yesterday's Press conference.

"We have 12 weeks and if (players) cannot sacrifice 12 weeks to work solely on cricket and getting to a tournament of the magnitude as the World Cup something is wrong.'' Bailey confirmed the 16 member squad, first revealed by The Royal Gazette yesterday, with the addition of two players on stand-by. However, not yet known are the names of the accompanying officials other than umpire George Francis.

Official squad: Albert Steede (captain), Clevie Wade (vice-captain), Charlie Marshall, Ricky Hill, Wendell Smith, Clay Smith, Dean Minors, Noel Gibbons, Arnold Manders, Anthony Edwards, Terry Burgess, Kenny Phillips, Bruce Perinchief, Del Hollis, Jeff Richardson, Allen Richardson. Stand-by players: Dexter Smith, Quinton Burch.

It was also verified that former West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding will be employed on a part-time basis to coach the squad and is due to arrive for a 10-day stint on November 12.

He will direct them during a Christmas tour of Jamaica, where they will have the Jamaican national team as their opposition for two or three matches as well as a number of local club sides.

"We realise that at this stage we need an experienced, renowned player to put the team together,'' explained Bailey. "We looked at Michael Holding basically because of the job he had done with St. Kitts. He had done a first-class job with St. Kitts, is well respected throughout the West Indies and is not one that allows any indiscipline, but someone who promotes a positive image.'' Skipper Steede said that he too was satisfied with the make-up of the squad and expected them to come home with the goods, which in this instance means a top-three placing and a spot in the World Cup against the Test-playing nations.

Raising eyebrows, though, was the choice of Wade as vice-captain over Wendell Smith and Charlie Marshall -- both former skippers -- especially after a lean 1993 campaign, but Steede allayed doubts regarding the all-rounder's value to the team.

"Like all the other players I'm relieved that the selection has been made and that we have our 16,'' said Steede, at 25, Bermuda's youngest ever captain.

"I think the team is well balanced and I do have a sufficient amount of tools to bring the cup home.

"I certainly agree with the choice of Clevie because I feel he is a good motivator. Wendell is a good person to be there (as well) as we always talk about tactics, but on the field Clevie is an expert motivator and can give us that extra 110 percent that we need on the day and that's the reason why I asked for him to be vice-captain.

"Right now we just need to come together as a team.'' In an appeal to the public, Bailey asked for similar support for cricket as that given during Bermuda's foray into the soccer World Cup.

ED BAILEY -- "...if they are in breach of that agreement, the board reserves the right to discharge them from the squad.''