There were few surprises yesterday as Bermuda?s 15-member World Cup squad was unveiled for all to see at the Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) headquarters.

Apart from the return of St.David?s all-rounder OJ Pitcher, the remainder of the Island?s historic World Cup squad is comprised entirely of those players who competed at the ICC World Cricket League in Kenya earlier this month.

The sole change was 2006 Cup Match MVP Pitcher, who has recovered from a slight groin strain and has replaced cousin Arthur Pitcher jr in the team.

All-rounder Arthur Pitcher, wicket-keeper Jekon Edness, batsman Azeem Pitcher, seamer Ryan Steede and spinner Rodney Trott have all been placed on standby.

Bermuda?s squad is made up of six seam bowlers, three spinners, eight all-rounders, 11 recognised batsman and two teenagers in Stefan Kelly and Malachi Jones.

And with the start to the 2007 World Cup now less than three-weeks away, national coach Gus Logie has already begun his assessment of the teams Bermuda will face in his native homeland of Trinidad. ?We have already done our homework on India and Sri Lanka and have spoken about Bangladesh and received some information from Scotland ? who were there recently ? on some of the things we should expect,? Logie said.

?We are hopeful of getting footage from the series between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh which has been promised to us by the ICC (International Cricket Council) and our high performance manager (Richard Done) so we can view the opposition and then make our plans.?

Bermuda will get a good opportunity to size up Bangladesh ? who they meet in Antigua on February 25 at the newly-constructed Sir Viv Richards Stadium in a three-nation triangular series also involving Americas-rivals Canada.

From there Bermuda?s World Cup squad will travel to St.Vincent to prepare for a historic warm-up game against a rejuvenated England.

Bermuda defeated Scotland by five-wickets in their final World Cricket League match in Kenya last week. And coach Logie is now confident the momentum gained from that inspiring win will spill over to Antigua ? and beyond. ?We are going to be playing against competition which is a lot more experienced than us,? he said.

?But the point is that if we build partnerships and eliminate the extras and bowl the ball in the right areas and take our catches consistently for a period of time, then eventually the results will come.

?The basics of cricket are not difficult . . . it?s all a matter of common sense and a matter of us using our cricket knowledge in assessment of situations and playing accordingly. ?So it?s all about confidence and you are only as good as your last game, and so hopefully we can build on our last performance and move forward.? BCB president Reggie Pearman yesterday congratulated all those chosen to fly the Island?s flag in the Caribbean at next month?s cricket spectacle.

?I congratulate the players on making the final 15, and wish them well as they represent our country,? he said. ?I am very satisfied with the thoroughness and intensity of the preparation of our squad and take this opportunity to remind them that they are also ambassadors of our country and I expect they will represent us appropriately.?

Chairman of national team selectors Arnold Manders added: ?No stone has been left unturned and I am confident that we have determined the best 15 cricketers to represent Bermuda.?

Bermuda captain Irving Romaine, meanwhile, was among those not surprised after the Island?s final World Cup squad had been announced.

?It?s a good choice, and I was ready for it. But now that this is the final 15 you really know what you are working with and guys really need to know their roles,? said Romaine, who is pumped up for the upcoming tour of Antigua. ?Guys really have to learn their roles and tune in in this triangular tournament to get ready for the World Cup because we don?t have any more easy games to really see how much we have improved.

?Every game now is going to be hard, and so it?s all about maintaining consistency and capitalising on the situation.?