Experience and youth will combine in Bermuda's Davis Cup campaign this year.

The squad of Steve Bean (captain/coach), James Collieson, Jenson Bascome, Ricky Mallory and Jovan Whitter has been confirmed three weeks ahead of the start of the Americas Zone Group Four tournament in Costa Rica.

President of the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) David Lambert is optimistic that this blend of players can earn the Island promotion to Group Three.

"Steve is carrying a very seasoned group of players with him," he said, noting that Collieson, Bascome and Mallory have all been on winning Davis Cup teams in the past.

Both Collieson and Mallory were part of the successful squad that won the tournament on home soil in 1997 and the trio were also part of Bermuda's victorious unit in 2000 in Honduras. In addition, 17-year-old Whitter, who partnered Ryan Swan in Bermuda's final doubles match against Bolivia in last year's Davis Cup, has had greater exposure in recent months, noted Lambert.

The former Warwick Academy student is now enrolled at the Van Der Meer Tennis Academy (in South Carolina, USA) and has done well in several Level Four and Five ITF world-ranking junior tournaments.

"Last year we came third and I think we have a better chance now because last year we had two young players and it was so close that Steve didn't use the young players until after our chance of promotion had gone.

"They didn't have any experience and they weren't as strong as the other players but this year he has Ricky who is experienced and a great doubles player - and he also can play a singles if he has to. I think that makes the team a bit stronger so hopefully we'll be able to move up," reasoned Allan Simmons, the BLTA's honorary life vice-president who is making the arrangements for the team's trip and liaising with tournament officials.

The Bermudian will arrive in Costa Rica on March 29 to participate in the tournament which runs from March 31 to April 6. Apart from the hosts, other countries involved are Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Panama and the Virgin Islands. Each fixture will consist of two singles matches and one doubles match between opposing teams. The top two teams will be promoted to Group Three.

Lambert stressed it was important for the team to be finalised well in advance and for players to know as much as possible about the conditions and regulations for the tournament before leaving Bermuda.

"In the past, ITF has had a format with four-game sets instead of six-game sets and we've also played with the no-let call and the no-advantage scoring.

"Over the years different formats have been used and as soon as we receive it we start to adjust if necessary. For example, with the no-advantage scoring, when you reach deuce the next point wins the game. That's quite a bit more pressure and you need to start training under that system immediately."

Simmons confirmed that Bermuda would be playing under the regular tennis rules - six-game, three-set matches with tie-breaks in the first two sets.

"The ITF experimented with some things for a few years but they have gone back to regular scoring," he explained.

"Usually they try out any changes they are thinking of making in these lower-level tournaments and officials have to report back on what they thought of the changes but they are not doing that this year."