Some much-needed competition is coming the Bermuda cricket team?s way as they gear up for the Americas Cup in July.

A joint venture involving the Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) and Catlin Group Limited is bringing Lloyd?s Cricket Club of England to the Island for a series of matches just ahead of the Cup competition which will be held here.

The June 17-27 tour features four games at the National Sports Centre. The first match is versus the BCB XI at 11 a.m. on June 19 while the second and third are back-to-back day/night fixtures (3 p.m. start) on June 23 and 24 against a BCB Development XI and LegTrappers respectively.

Lloyd?s final game is a day match (11 a.m.) against Bermuda?s national team on June 26 which will be played for the Catlin Trophy.

Speaking at a Press conference yesterday, BCB spokesman Neil Speight said the matches will give the Island?s players an opportunity to warm up for their Americas Cup showdown; a stepping stone to qualifying for the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

It should also provide some very entertaining cricket for the Bermudian public, he said.

Chief Executive of Catlin Insurance Company in Bermuda Graham Pewter explained Catlin were keen to sponsor the tour given the company?s ties both here and in England.

?Catlin is a Bermuda-based insurance and reinsurance group with our origins in the Lloyd Market and we have significant operations here and in London,? he said.

?So, when we were approached with a view to providing sponsorship for the Lloyd?s cricket tour, it was the perfect opportunity for us because we span both markets.

?We look forward to welcoming the Lloyd?s team to the Island. The matches will not only provide great entertainment but help the Bermuda national squad in their preparations for the World cup qualifying competition.?

He and James Kent ? a former Lloyd?s broker now resident in Bermuda and who helped set up the tour ? both stressed the quality of the Lloyd?s team which last visited the Island in 1996.

?It?s a very strong team that?s coming. I think the Bermuda public will be impressed by the quality of the cricket,? said Pewter.

?There are a number of County-level players, a number of young England players. It?s a team that can certainly compete on an even playing field with the Bermuda national team.?

The Catlin executive said they anticipate the group touring every couple years and that the trophy will be competed for on each occasion.

Brand Manager of Bermuda Import and Export Company Ed Trott also expressed delight that high-quality cricket would be available to the public, adding that his company are pleased to be a contributing sponsor for the Saturday matches.