Bermuda's batsmen proved to be their own worst enemies on a track possessing few demons in Amstelveen, Holland yesterday.

After being sent in by their hosts, only four batsmen managed to reach double figures before the visitors were dismissed shortly before the afternoon tea break.

Team manager Lionel Thomas said the initial plan was to occupy the crease for as long as possible in the hope of batting themselves into a commanding position. However, it just wasn't to be on an overcast day in the Netherlands as a lack of footwork and application in the middle left the hosts with ample time to chase Bermuda's modest target and lay the groundwork for what could turn out to be a massive first-innings lead.

"It has been a rough day so far, and looks as though it could get rougher," Thomas said at the conclusion of yesterday's play. "But you are never out of the game if you play tough because anything can happen. And who knows ... one wicket could bring two or more. You never know."

Earlier, Bermuda were chomping at the bit after being sent in to bat first on a flat, grassy strip promising plenty of runs.

"We were hoping to bat all day, but it wasn't to be," Thomas continued. "But that was because we made some inappropriate shots at times. At times our batsmen were not reading the game and lost wickets at crucial stages just before water breaks and lunch and tea breaks.

"For me it was a mental lapse."

Bermuda's bowlers lacked the necessary penetration to unsettle the Dutch batsmen in their reply late yesterday afternoon. However, skipper Irving Romaine, who yielded 19 runs during a tidy seven over spell of off-break spin, hopes his team's fortunes in the field will take a turn for the better when play resumes today.

"We need to hit the right areas more often. We need to be more consistent to build pressure by bowling a good line and length," he said.

"It's a situation where our bowlers have to bowl tidy and as the pressure builds hopefully they (Netherlands) will give up their wickets."

*Leicestershire's star-studded Twenty20 side arrive in the Netherlands later this week to take on Intercontinental Cup hosts Volharding Rap Amstels at the VRA ground in Amstelveen in the Paul Nixon Benefit Twenty20 match.

In recognition for his outstanding service to cricket over the last 18 years, the Leicestershire skipper and England wicketkeeper/batsman has been awarded a benefit year this summer.

Nixon made his debut for Leicestershire in 1989 and was awarded his county cap in 1994. He was instrumental in Leicestershire winning the County Championship in 1996 and 1998.

In 2000 Nixon, who stroked a fluent 42 off 44 balls against Sri Lanka earlier this year at the World Cup in the West Indies, joined Kent and had three successful years with the county.

Since rejoining Leicestershire in 2003, the 36-year old Nixon has played a major role in helping the team to win the Twenty 20 trophy on two occasions, and last year he belted a career best 144 against Northamptonshire.