Bermuda were handed a glimmer of hope yesterday after missing out as a host venue for the 2007 Cricket World Cup, being named as first alternate for the international showpiece.

Island officials are still claiming a victory despite being left off the list of eight Caribbean venues for the competition with between four and six warm-up games set to be staged on Bermudian soil.

And the first alternate status bestowed upon the Island is still likely to lead to the upgrading of Lord?s as Bermuda readies itself to answer the call any time in the next two years if any of the other nations fail to fulfil their development plans.

The International Cricket Council decision to place Bermuda as an alternate is seen as a massive victory over immediate bid rival the Unites States, who had proposed staging matches in Florida.

The eight venues to be accepted were announced by ICC president Ehsan Mani in alphabetical order and once Grenada was announced, the room at the Hamilton Princess where the bid team and dignitaries had assembled fell silent, knowing Bermuda had missed out.

The list was then completed ? omitting the USA ? but the Island was given a reprieve when Mani stated that the National Sports Centre, Bermuda, was to be the first alternate venue and would definitely stage warm-up matches. Cheering and a raucous round of applause immediately followed.

Thousands of dollars and months of hard work by Bermuda Cricket Board, Government and consultancy firm Brailsford & Dunlavey culminated in the submission of a 291-page document, drawings and a DVD ? which included an endorsement by Michael Douglas ? to the ICC.

?We are delighted that we have received some recognition by being given some warm-up matches,? said Sports Minister Dale Butler following the disappointing news that Bermuda had missed out.

?We are at last being involved by the West Indies Cricket Board after being pushed away in years gone by when Alma (Champ) Hunt had tried to play in the team.

?I?m sure the warm-up matches will be a success. A few months ago we set out on a journey, it was a monumental task, it was a tremendous challenge ? it was an opportunity that could have reaped enormous economic reward for the Island.

?We pulled out all the stops and put together a bid package which was nothing short of spectacular.

?We were told that it was the best presentation they had ever seen ? it raised the bar.

?I?m confident that the decision of the ICC is not a result of any holes in our package.?

Bermuda Cricket Board treasurer Neil Speight admitted it was not immediately clear what first alternate status actually meant, as it had not been part of the bid process.

It is understood, however, that Bermuda will need to have all facilities in place ? including the upgrading of the Lord?s venue as well as the capability to install portable seating at the National Sports Centre ? as if Bermuda was indeed hosting first round matches, with everything having to be in place by 2006.

Each host venue is now committed to a development plan and it is thought that if any other nation lags significantly behind with their projects ? and nearly every venue has either substantial upgrading or even the construction of a new stadium in their bids ? then Bermuda may be asked to step up to the wicket.

?We beat the USA and two other Islands that submitted bids (St. Vincent and the second Jamaican bid),? said local organising committee chairman Alan Richardson to cheering and applause.

?And we have to be ready, as an alternate, and we have to be prepared to host warm-up matches.?

Brian Hanlon, vice-president of consultancy firm Brailsford & Dunlavey, added: ?We are talking about a victory here.

?We were first approached 144 days ago and we have covered a lot of ground. Bermuda is a wonderful place and we have been part of a tremendous process.

?Everyone should be proud of their efforts.?

Details on which warm-up games will be played here will be announced next Tuesday at a Press conference in Jamaica.