The of Bermuda?s cricketers have been summoned to vie for 14 places on the team for next summer?s crucial ICC Trophy tournament.

Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) president Reggie Pearman, chairman of selectors Arnold Manders and captain Clay Smith last night urged all 30 named to the training squad to accept the invitation as the Island wants to be able to choose its strongest contingent for the all-important 2007 Cricket World Cup qualifier.

?It?s a good list of players. We just need to find out if all will make themselves available. If they do Bermuda will have an excellent chance of getting to the World Cup and it will be tough picking a final 14,? said Manders, adding that two reserve players will also be chosen.

Smith termed it ?a well-balanced squad with a mixture of youth and experience? with ?a lot of all-rounders which is necessary for the One-Day game?.

Presently recovering from knee surgery, he reasoned that the depth of talent throughout the squad augured well for Bermuda putting forward its best.

?I think the players know what?s at stake so I don?t think there will be any issue about their commitment. I am expecting them to come and put their time in. It?s a very competitive squad so when players come to training and look around they will see nothing but quality.

?That should motivate them even more because they will realise they must put their work in because everybody there has a chance of making the team,? argued the 33-year-old skipper.

Pearman noted exciting times were ahead in Bermuda?s cricket and urged the entire country to rally behind the squad.

?I congratulate all players selected and I urge all of them, their families, friends and employers to give 100 percent commitment to achieving the best for Bermuda.?

In a short press release the BCB said players would be invited to a meeting soon for further discussions on Bermuda?s efforts to qualify for the 2007 Cricket World Cup and to finalise training dates.

Among those already signalling intentions to come out of retirement is Willow Cuts skipper and ace batsman Richard Basden.

?I just got notice officially from the Board and I told them I accept the invitation to be part of the training squad. I am honoured and I will do my best to try and help the country to qualify for the World Cup,? said the 37-year-old, pointing out that a full-strength Bermuda would have a great chance of grabbing one of the five World Cup berths.

?We have to focus on what we have to do. Most of the teams there are not strangers to us. It?s going to be tough but, once we put out our best forward, I have great belief that we can qualify.

?We have some very experienced players and some good young players but team unity and harmony will be key, especially for an overseas tour.

?That?s what gets you over the humps when things are not going so good.?

Meanwhile, mystery still surrounds whether veteran ball-beater Albert Steede will heed the national call and return to the international scene after announcing his retirement last year.

While he has remained tight-lipped on the matter, Smith is quietly confident the Western Stars stalwart can be persuaded to take up his bat and pads again.

?I?ve had several discussions with him and he seems keen and I?m very optimistic he will come out,? said the national captain.

BCB official Neil Speight also indicated that the 36-year-old prolific scorer had been approached.

?Brief, informal discussions were held between a representative of the Board and Albert and he said he would give the matter due consideration.

?We are cautiously optimistic that he will reconsider his international retirement to become a valuable part of Bermuda?s squad,? said Speight.