Former national team player and past Bermuda Cricket Board president El James was yesterday announced as Bermuda?s team manager for this summer?s assault on the ICC Trophy in Ireland.

And he pledged to do all in his power to help the Island?s cricketers realise their long-time dream of qualifying for the World Cup.

Five out of the 12 countries competing in the ICC Trophy will advance to the next World Cup in the West Indies in 2007.

?I think we have a great chance,? said James, who made his own mark on the local game as a fierce opening bowling and big-hitting middle order bat.

?I came close to qualifying as player and now as the manager I have another chance.

?Out of 12 teams I seriously think Bermuda can place in the top five. We should place in the top five. And that?s how the players have to think as well. This could be our best ever chance of qualifying.?

James, a Cup Match stalwart who handed over the presidential reins of the BCB to Reggie Pearman at the last annual general meeting, said he was delighted with his appointment.

?I always said I would do whatever I could to help cricket in this country,? he said.

?I?m going as management but I want to be part of the team, although I realise there?s a job to be done.

?Having been there before as player, hopefully I?ll be able to help the players realise what?s required . . . help them relax and perform to the best of their ability.

?I think it helps that I know all of the players quite well. I managed the Bermuda youth team back in 1987 and many of those players are now in the national team. It?s not like we don?t know each other.?

The Bermuda team, currently working under interim coach Wendell Smith, are scheduled to leave on June 19 for a series of warm-up games in southern England against the likes of Guernsey and Namibia.

They will then head for Belfast in Northern Ireland for the opening ceremony of the ICC Trophy on June 29, with the tournament scheduled to get underway two days later on July 1.

Bermuda?s opening group games will be against hosts Ireland, Denmark, USA, United Arab Emirates and Uganda.

The top two in that group will automatically qualify for the World Cup finals as well as the ICC Trophy semi-finals while the remaining eight will then vie for the fifth and final spot in the World Cup.