Two-day cricket returns to Bermuda this weekend with the majority of players unaware of what challenges the new format will bring.

It?s been over 20 years since the format was last used on the Island and only a few of the current players, all of them now veterans, have had the opportunity to experience the longer form of the game.

Most, therefore, will be entering the the land of the unknown, hoping to make the most of an opportunity designed specifically to develop their game by playing for longer periods ? a scheme promoted worldwide by the governing International Cricket Council (ICC).

How the players will adapt to the two-day game remains to be seen, but most already realise they face a number of obstacles.

Former St. David?s stalwart and current team manager Delby Borden reckons that it?s going to be tough for the modern day player, based on his own memories of playing the two-day game back in the early 1980s.

?I recall playing in a semi-final against Devonshire Rec. at Wellington Oval, it was a great adjustment,? said Borden.

?It will be a big challenge to the current day players, a big difference in the format for them. I just hope they are going to be mentally prepared to play two days because a lot of these youngsters today are not mentally prepared.

?It?s going to be very challenging. The Bermuda Cricket Board had no option but to play two days, it?s definitely a format that will help to develop the players. That?s what we need because a lot of these tournaments coming up are for two and three days.

?It?s hard to say what to expect, but it?s going to be an experiment. We are going to try out a couple of things to develop our youngsters. In fact, Delyone (Borden?s son) and O.J.Pitcher will be taking the team this week while Clay Smith (regular team skipper and coach) will only be a regular player, and we are going to try a lot of our other youngsters.?

Former Bailey?s Bay skipper Noel Gibbons recalled the challenges he faced while playing two-day cricket: ?I was excited when I played it years ago, it gave me the chance to play against one club on consecutive days which was a treat. It was also a challenge and I only wonder if the modern day player relishes it as much as we did.

?I am concerned about the shortages of umpires to handle it ? this combined with the problem of players who work on Saturdays and have trouble getting time off.

?I understand the logic behind helping to develop players, but one must question is Bermuda ready for it yet. We will find out, that?s for sure.?

The opening games in the two-day league see defending Premier Division champions Southampton Rangers travel to St. George?s while St. David?s play Willow Cuts at Somerset CC. Western Stars entertain Devonshire Rec. at St. John?s Field while Bailey?s Bay take on Cleveland at Sea Breeze Oval.

In First Division games, Police meet Somerset at Police Field, Somerset Bridge play Flatts at White Hill and Warwick host Leg Trappers at Southampton Oval.

Social Club are due to clash with PHC at Devonshire Rec., but sources indicated yesterday that PHC may be unable to field a team with several of their players required to work.