West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) director Deryck Murray will officially greet the Island's Under-19 national squad when they touch down in Trinidad next month to intensify preparations for the upcoming Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia.

Former Trinidad, Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire wicketkeeper Murray is just one of several past Windies greats who have agreed to share their wealth of experience to the young Islanders as they prepare themselves for what's expected to be a baptism of fire against some of the world's elite.

Bermuda, who will be led by St. George's all-rounder Rodney Trott, have been pitted with Test nations England and Bangladesh and fellow ICC associate nation Ireland in Group D.

Bermuda's Under-19 national squad will tour Trinidad from December 12-23 where they will take part in an intensive training regime and play four practice matches against local sides Wanderers CC, Queen's Park CC, Preysal Sports Club and Powergen Sports Club.

Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) yesterday announced a squad of 18 players to tour Trinidad next month and then be trimmed to 15 before the Islanders travel to India for final preparations ahead of next February's Under-19 World Cup.

"Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Montpelier Re, the official Under-19 World Cup sponsors, and the Government, the team has a wonderful opportunity to train overseas, both in Trinidad and in India on route to Malaysia," said BCB president Reggie Pearman, in a written statement. "This training is vital to prepare the team for the games they will face in Malaysia. We understand that the level of the competition in Malaysia will be very high and we will leave no stone unturned to give our squad the best preparation possible. The team has been training particularly hard and we are confident they will do our country proud on and off the field in the upcoming months."

Accompanying the squad to his homeland is national coach Gus Logie who will be reunited with former Windies team-mates Tony Gray, Bernard Julian and Larry Gomes who are also keen to impart their cricket knowledge upon the young Islanders.

"We are going to be doing quite a lot of things doing down there (in Trinidad) in terms of the physical, mental and technical side of things, which at this point in time is also crucial for the youngsters," Logie said. "People like Deryck (Murray), Tony Gray and Larry Gomes are going to be coming around to the sessions and we are going to try and get as many players as possible who played for the national team (Trinidad) together just to give the guys a warm welcome really and truly."

Gray toured the Island in 2006 with Clico Preysal while last month saw legendary West Indies batsman Sir Viv Richards and fast bowler Curtly Ambrose rally Bermuda's Under-19 squad at the National Sports Centre (NSC).

Logie said he expects the Islanders to give their all on tour whether it be in the nets, in the classroom or on the pitch against their Caribbean counterparts.

"I think all of the teams down there have pretty good youngsters who have had national team experience," he said. "And I think this will provide a good opportunity for our players to learn from them as well."

In addition, the Island's Under-19s will place emphasis on their own personal development by reviewing video analysis of themselves while trainer Clinton Jeremiah has been recruited to keep team members in pristine physical condition on tour.

Bermuda Under-19s: Rodney Trott (capt), Malachi Jones (vice capt), Chris Douglas, Steven Bremar jr, Kyle Hodsoll, Jordan DeSilva, Terryn Fray, Khiry Furbert, Dennico Hollis, Lamar Richardson, Steffan Kelly, Tamauri Tucker, Gregory Maybury, Machai Campbell, Regino Smith, Deunte Darrell, Kevon Fubler, MacLaren Smith. Officials: Arnold Manders (director cricket development), Andre Manders (coach), Terryn Fray (director of Under 19 cricket), Gerald Bean (manager), Craig Brown (physio), Gus Logie (national coach).