THE Bermuda Under-18 National Cricket Squad flies out to Barbados today to take on some of the best sides in the world.

It is Bermuda's fourth consecutive attempt at the Sir Garfield Sobers International Schools Cricket Tournament played over a gruelling three weeks.

Last year Bermuda came second to Trinidad's Under-17 team.

Coach Andre Manders told the Mid-Ocean News: "We came very close to beating Trinidad ¿ they beat us by one wicket and then went on to win the tournament."

However the Bermuda squad will be missing at least half-a-dozen players who played last time, said Manders.

"We have a younger team ¿ we are just going for the preparation for the Americas region tournament which is held next year.

"Everybody will play, there are some very hard teams but the experience will be great. There is some stiff competition down there.

"Each year we got better and better. With this younger team hopefully we can go down there and win a few matches and try to upset one of the big boys."

He said Bermuda had a tough draw in a group with teams from Jamaica, Trinidad and Barbados.

"It will be very hard for us."

There are two or three games a week, with Bermuda playing everybody twice.

"It is going to be a long tournament," said Manders. "After about the second week the boys do get tired.

"We try and give them some rest at the weekends, take them on a tour of Barbados."

Gregory Maybury has a back injury and will rest for the Under-15s Americas region tournament in August on home soil against USA, Caymans and Canada.

Last year Bermuda won that tournament and with it qualification to the World Cup.

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