OJ Pitcher and Delyone Borden, arguably two of the Island?s top all-rounders, will head off to South Africa next week to enrol at the University of Port Elizabeth International Cricket Academy.

Bermuda Cricket Board yesterday announced the St.David?s players had been chosen from a short list of candidates to take part in a rigorous two-month course at the prestigious academy.

?This really is an opportunity of a lifetime and we very much hope that OJ and Delyone will make the most of their time there in every aspect,? said Board president Reggie Pearman in a prepared press release.

?OJ and Delyone are integral members of the senior national squad and we are very optimistic that they will have a large role to play at the ICC Trophy in Ireland this coming summer as we endeavour to reach the World Cup for the first time in our cricketing history.?

The Port Elizabeth Academy claims to help cricketers further enhance ?their natural flair, skills, mental attitude, physical fitness, general cricket knowledge and etiquette with the basic philosophy to assist them in developing to their full potential in preparation for the rigorous demands of playing cricket at the highest levels?.

The facility is equipped with four cricket ovals, four artificial pitches, 14 practice nets and a clubhouse.

The Bermudians will be put through their paces by former South African Test players Kepler Wessels (technical consultant) and Mark Davis (coach).

Pitcher and Borden become the fourth and fifth local players to enrol at Port Elizabeth, following in the footsteps of another Islander, Chris Foggo, Western Stars wicketkeepeer Jekon Edness and Somerset?s Jacobi Robinson, who is reported to be on the move to Stars this summer.

Last year Robinson created a stir when he threatened to abort his studies at the academy after a previously undetected back injury was revealed, a decision that ruffled feathers on the Board. However, he eventually decided to stay.

For Pitcher, this will be his third overseas cricket commitment following trials with Middlesex County Cricket Club and a one-season playing stint at Surrey County League side, Pyrford, under former national coach Roland Butcher in 2001.

Pitcher said he hoped to repay the generosity of those who have made the trip possible by improving both as a cricketer and as an individual.

?I look forward to representing my country in South Africa and hopefully leaving a lasting impression, building on the relationship that the BCB have already developed with the academy,? said Pitcher, who represented Bermuda during last summer?s Americas Championship and ICC Inter Continental Cup tournaments.

Borden was equally delighted to have received a chance to broaden his own cricket horizons.

?I?m extremely happy that I?ve been given this opportunity to improve my cricketing skills,? he said.

?I?m really looking forward to the summer and the ICC Trophy and I hope to return from South Africa fully prepared for our World Cup qualifying campaign.?

In recent years the BCB have sent several local cricketers abroad to various cricket academies.

Bailey?s Bay all-rounder Stephen Outerbridge attended the Shell Cricket Academy at the University of St.George?s in Greneda in 2002 before enrolling at the Marleyborne Cricket Club Indoor School at Lords in the UK.

Outerbridge became the first local cricketer since Arnold Manders and Clevie Wade to attend the prestigious academy.

In 2003 jovial spinner Dwayne (Sluggo) Leverock attended the Sir Lance Gibbs Spin Academy in Antigua while promising St.David?s fast bowler Stefan Kelly is currently enrolled at Oakham School in Leicestershire, UK.

Meanwhile, the BCB also announced yesterday that local construction firm, Island Construction Limited, have come onboard as new sponsors.

Island Construction have agreed to sponsor the provision of 32 cricket helmets for the upcoming season, with each domestic club set to receive two helmets free of charge.

?In the construction business, we always have to be vigilant when it comes to safety measures and so we can well understand the BCB?s keenness to ensure that nobody is unnecessarily injured on the field of play,? stated Island Construction Chief Executive Officer Zane DeSilva.

BCB treasurer Neil Speight assured the sponsors that the helmets would be put to good use.

?Part of our mandate includes the encouragement of safety,? said Speight.

?We hope the donation of helmets across every club in Bermuda will go some way to ensuring that players are adequately protected, both while batting or standing in catching positions around the bat.?