Bermuda?s top cricketers are within two weeks of becoming semi-professional.

It is understood that the Bermuda Cricket Board have drawn up contracts for all those likely to be involved in the World Cup campaign and are having them vetted by lawyers.

The BCB hopes to have all the deals signed before Bermuda?s next overseas tour to Dubai on January 26 with contracts likely to ensure that each player will receive a standard match fee as well as performance-related bonuses.

The issue of player remuneration has become increasingly important since Bermuda?s qualification for the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean, with the national side set to spend more than ten weeks playing cricket on foreign fields this year ? a workload which will exert significant pressure on the players? work and family commitments.

As a result of Government?s $11 million investment over four years, the BCB are, for the very first time, in a position where they can afford to pay the players for their efforts.