Fifteen men made history this week — selected for a squad which will represent Bermuda in a cricket World Cup for the first time.Whether the history they will now create in the Caribbean next month is something Bermudians will be able to look back on with pride remains to be seen.

As the smallest nation in terms of both size and population to qualify for the sport’s four-yearly showpiece, and with a one-day international record inferior to any other country in the tournament, they enter the unknown with so much to gain and absolutely nothing to lose.

It’s fair to say that outside of a few misguided souls here on the Island, nobody expects anything of them — certainly nobody within the game’s ruling body, the ICC, who, while unlikely to admit their own trepidation, must now be questioning the wisdom of increasing numbers in the World Cup to include five Associate nations.

Teams outside the Test elite have surprised in the past — most notably Kenya who stormed their way through to the semi-finals in South Africa four years ago. Canada, too, have made their mark on the big stage.

But Bermuda? Can we really expect to compete alongside the likes of Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh — all of whom await in the group stages in Trinidad next month.

And before that there’s the small matter of a resurgent England team in a dress rehearsal in St. Vincent.

All of this on the back of two undistinguished tournaments in Africa during which our best could finish no better than last on both occasions.

It hardly breeds confidence.

Yet if Bermuda’s players have learnt anything during their travels and travails since qualifying in Ireland during the summer of 2005, it’s that, like so many team sports, cricket can be magically unpredictable.

Any side’s only as good as its last result. Ask the Aussies.

Having completely dominated England throughout almost the entire summer Down Under, handing out the kind of thrashings that Bermuda’s players have become all-too familiar with, Ricky Ponting’s men suddenly found the tables turned, losing the final three ODIs and along with it, the tri-series trophy. Cricket at that level might be a little different to what the Bermuda team are accustomed to, but those recent results between two old rivals demonstrated how quickly a team’s fortunes can change. It’s with that in mind that the 15 who carry a small island’s hopes must now prepare for the challenge.

While some of them might think they’re supremely talented, the fact remains they’re about to face players with abundantly more talent and a whole lot more experience.

But this is the best Bermuda has to offer. Players such as veteran Charlie Marshall and the injury prone Ryan Steede may feel aggrieved at being left out, but by and large the squad selected is one which most cricket followers would find difficult to argue with.

Given that coach Gus Logie gave every top local cricketer the opportunity to prove their worth over the last 18 months, in the end the squad virtually picked itself. Their fate now lies in self-belief, unwavering commitment and a dogged determination, attributes that haven’t always been witnessed in their performances on the field.

Logie, at the end of the recent African tour, spoke of his World Cup dream — visions of a Bermuda side pulling off the World Cup impossible.

But, as he quickly added, it’s unclear whether all of the players share that dream. Hopefully they do . . . and at the same time realise the opportunity they’ve been offered is one that hundreds of cricketers from around the globe with considerably more ability will never be afforded.

ADRIAN ROBSON