Bermuda?s cricket captain has added his voice to the chorus of concern over the pitch at the National Sports Centre (NSC).

As his team prepare for a three-day fixture against the USA on the turf tomorrow, Clay Smith noted the primary concern was ?whether the wicket up here can actually last for three days?.

Following back-to-back losses against Americas Championship winners Canada and then the USA on the weekend, he called on the relevant authorities to get things right out in the middle.

?You?ve seen over one day that the wicket has been jumping and shooting ? that type of stuff ? so it?s important we get the wicket right.

?Hopefully the wicket will get a lot of water between now and Tuesday so it can last three days.?

Regarding team selection for the Inter-Continental Cup match, the middle-order batsman said he could see at least two or three changes in Bermuda?s line-up given injuries and the need to include more youngsters in the longer format of the sport.

?Players are really exhausted and we have a few injuries we need to tend to, especially myself. Whether or not I will be available for the three-day (game), I don?t know. I?ll see a physio tomorrow and see what happens. Hopefully I can recover in time to play,? he said, citing a recurring knee injury that continues to bother him.

Smith also listed ace batsmen Glenn Blakeney and veteran Charlie Marshall as having injuries.

As for his view that Bermuda should place an emphasis on youth in the three-day contest, he reasoned: ?It would be more beneficial to the younger players than the older ones?.

Asked if he felt this should be the policy even for an international competition, he replied: ?You need good balance; some younger players with experience and, with it being three days, you?re definitely going to need some fresh legs running about in the field all day.

?Whatever team we put out I think it will be good.?

Smith noted the Island?s fortunes in the longer match would depend on players applying themselves and concentrating properly.

Captain of the USA, Richard Staple, agreed yesterday?s one-day outing against the hosts was a great help in mapping out strategies for the three-day clash.

?We now understand what they are all about, what their strengths and weaknesses are. So hopefully we can exploit that knowledge in the three-day game,? he said.