Bermuda's senior national cricket team are poised to take on rival World Cup bidders USA on July 13 in the first of two three-day Intercontinental Cup matches.

The Island will rub shoulders with their North American counterparts in a three-day match provisionally scheduled for the National Sports Centre from July 13 to 15 before heading off to Toronto to take on Canada on August 13.

The Intercontinental Cup competition is competed for among 12 respective members divided into four groups of three countries. Each country will play one match at home while the remaining fixture will be played away.

Bermuda's group comprises of Canada and the USA, while other countries set to compete in the competition are Malaysia, Nepal, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Holland, Ireland, Scotland, Uganda, Namibia and Kenya.

The eventual winner of each group in the regional competition ? recently upgraded to first-class status ? will advance through to the semi-finals and finals to be held in November in the UAE.

Bermuda will host the International Cricket Council (ICC) America's Cup World Cup Qualifying Tournament from July 5 - 11 where the Island will officially launch a bid to qualify for the 2007 World Cup Finals in the West Indies.

"The quality and level of cricket opportunities being brought to Bermuda by the Bermuda Cricket Board continues to grow," stated BCB president Reggie Pearman in a Board press release

"2004 is a busy year of international cricket for the Island as we host the ICC Americas Tournament which is a qualifying tournament for the ICC cricket World Cup.

"The ICC Intercontinental Cup has grown in stature and prestige by being awarded first-class status and it is an outstanding opportunity for our local cricketers to further their cricketing goals," .

The announcement comes at a time when the Island is making strides toward hosting a World Cup match when the West Indies play host to cricket's premier competition in 2007.

Bermuda recently forwarded a letter of intent to submit its bid to the ICC along with 11 other countries all vying to secure World Cup fixtures.

Pearman added: "The BCB and Government are working diligently to raise the profile and standards in Bermuda so that we are not only a leading cricketing nation, but also a world class venue for international events.

"The focus is part of a program to help aspiring countries progress to One Day International (ODI) status, and our participation in this three-day competition is another milestone on that path.

"The ICC Intercontinental Cup has been established by the ICC Development Committee in a continuing effort to improve standards of play of the leading associate countries."