The National Sports Centre's (NSC) controversial cricket pitch is expected to receive the thumbs up from the International Cricket Council (ICC) today to resume hosting first class matches .

In recent weeks the Prospect sports facility has come under close scrutiny from the ICC who, according to reliable sources, stands a "very realistic" chance of meeting the demands required to host high-profile cricket fixtures.

Acting on behalf of the ICC Americas region, ex-Canadian national cricket team selection committee chairman and Ontario Cricket Association (OCA) president, Austin Ward, visited the island last weekend to evulate the NSC batting strip and seemed generally satisfied with the sample provided.

Speaking at a Board press conference yesterday, BCB president Reggie Pearman hailed those who have worked dilligently behind the scenes to get the NSC's cricket pitch back up to scratch.

""I must commend the groundstaff at the NSC along with Sheridan (Raynor) and the other chaps who have chipped in to help out," he added.

"Full credit to Trevor (NSC superintendent Trevor Madeiros) and his staff (Jason Wilmot, Terrance Minors and Jason Smith) for making it possible and naturally the Minister (Sports Minister El James) for spearheading the drive to get cricket (back at the NSC), which Bermuda has been chomping at the bit to see our national teams play there."

Minister James currently heads up a task force whose remit is to have the NSC deemed fit to host Bermuda's four day Intercontinental Cup match with Scotland and possibly the 2008 ICC Americas Under 15 Championships this summer.

And from his own observations thus far, Pearman is impressed with the progress being made.

"From what we have seen over the past two weekends it (pitch) has played well, which hopefully all augurs well," he said

"We have had to prepare the pitch to see if it can last up to four days.

"We've tried to conform to the rules of four day cricket which once prepared requires no additional rolling, except for light rollers and such along those lines.

"But full credit to everyone concerned, as well as Gus (national coach Gus Logie) who has supplied the video footage which is to be reviewed by the ICC."

The NSC, which last hosted a first class cricket match in the summer of 2004 when the ICC Americas Division One Championships were held on local shores, also recieved ringing endorsements from two of the Island's top all-rounders – Lionel Cann and Jacobi Robinson – who will face off against each other tomorrow evening at the Prospect facility in the BCB's inaugural Twenty/20 Final.

St.David's stalwart Cann, commented: "When we played on the pitch last week it played quite well. It was kind of slow, obviously, as it is still early season.

"The bounce is true and I don't see any reason why it can't last four days of international cricket.

"I have traveled the world and seen much worse wickets than what we have at the National Sports Centre (NSC). I am very impressed."

The Islanders will take on western rivals Somerset Cricket Club – whose skipper Robinson hammered an unbeaten half ¿ century (65) at the NSC last weekend – in tomorrow's final –(8 p.m.).

"For me to come out there and score some runs, it has to be playing lovely," said Robinson, with a big grin.

"I think it played better than it did before and in my opinion the wicket played very true.

"The ball seamed around for the bowler and benefitted both batsman and bowler. It's a good cricket wicket."