Southampton Rangers wicketkeeper-batsman Kwame Tucker leaves for a cricketing winter in Australia on Monday and is determined to return as the answer to Bermuda's top-order batting woes.

Tucker and St. David's seamer George O'Brien jr are to spend three months at a reputable international cricket academy in Brisbane, training intensively and playing club cricket at weekends.

At 29 years of age, Tucker is by far the oldest player to be sent abroad by the Bermuda Cricket Board.

The likes of O'Brien, Stefan Kelly and Jacobi Robinson ? who have all enjoyed extended stints playing cricket overseas courtesy of the BCB ? are either in or barely out of their teens and the Board have made it clear they are looking for more young cricketers in which to invest their now considerable wealth.

But Tucker has so impressed national coach Gus Logie with his attitude and potential, that the Trinidadian was able to convince the executive to splash out on an older player who ? at present ? is only on the fringes of the national squad.

Logie has made no secret of his desire to uncover a batsman capable of making meaningful contributions at the very top of the order and has identified Tucker as a likely candidate.

He believes that three months' worth of batting on the traditionally quicker and bouncier surfaces Down Under will assist the diminutive West Ender in coping with the added rigours of opening at an international level.

"The main focus down there will be on my batting because the coach has made it clear to me that there is room for somebody to claim an opening spot on a more regular basis," Tucker said.

"But I need to sharpen up and improve my footwork and am sure my time in Australia will help with that. I'm ambitious. I really want to win a place in the national team and help Bermuda do well at the World Cup. I'm obviously grateful both to the coach and the Board for having faith in my ability and giving me this chance to develop."

On the wicketkeeping front, Tucker admitted to neglecting this side of his game over the last two seasons, despite being a highly-regarded glovesman by the national selectors.

But even with Dean Minors almost certain to command the wicketkeeping slot if fit, Tucker said he wanted to keep the veteran on his toes.

"It's important I think to have somebody there challenging Dean for the wicketkeeping position because it makes sure that there is real competition for places in the squad," he said.

"Obviously Dean is the number one at the moment and has done very well. But I want to be there in case he gets injured or cannot play for some other reason. I'll spend a lot of time in Australia working on my 'keeping because when it comes to selection for the national team, it will be to my advantage that I have more than one string to my bow."

Logie, meanwhile, has heaped praise on Tucker for his commitment at national team training and hopes his game will have developed appreciably when he returns to the fold in April.

"What struck me immediately was his attitude," Logie said.

"He is a really hard worker, listens well and has a really positive influence on those around him. I wish him well."