History will be made in Toronto this summer when Bermuda tackle the West Indies for the first time in an ICC sanctioned One-Day International (ODI).

The senior national squad are set to rub shoulders with Chris Gayle's team at the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club on August 26, as part of a triangular series also involving hosts Canada.

To date, Bermuda have played against two Test teams (Zimbabwe and Bangladesh) and have only met the West Indies in exhibition matches.

Under coach Gus Logie – now at the helm of Bermuda's senior national team – the West Indies toured the Island in 2004 where they played two matches against the hosts and Barbados as preparation for a triumphant ICC Champions Trophy campaign in England.

Former West Indies vice-captain Logie said he expects the Windies to be formidable opponents and hopes the experience will encourage greater numbers to attend training – especially given this year's hectic international schedule that will see Bermuda defend their Americas Division One title and attempt to qualify for the next Twenty20 World Cup.

"There are a lot of things happening and a lot of opportunities that players on the Island should want to be a part of.

"I just hope this is good news to the players and I want to see their passion and enthusiasm raised to the level and consciousness of what it's all really about,

"Our guys have to see the big picture somewhere down the road and this is something we have been hoping for and working hard for over the years since qualification. We always knew something like this would be a possibility and it would be even greater if we could play the match at home."

Last week the National Sports Centre (NSC) received ICC approval to host July's Intercontinental Cup match involving Bermuda and fellow ICC Associates Scotland.

Logie is confident the Prospect venue will eventually be given ODI status as well following a more in-depth and rigorous assessment of the facilities.

"That's basically what we are aiming for because when you have international games you really want to have them on your home soil," said Logie "It's beneficial to play against the West Indies but I think it would be even more beneficial to play against them at home in an official ODI.

"The first step is to have the Intercontinental Cup (played at NSC) over the four days and everyone has to step up to the plate to ensure the venue is given further approval for international games like ODI's. And I don't think there is anything we cannot achieve if we put our minds to it."

Logie has also backed a BCB proposal that could see home-based senior national team cricketers contracted for a period of time to enable them to better prepare for international commitments such as August's triangular series in Toronto. Currently the BCB have two of the island's most promising young players under contract on a full-time basis, all-rounder Rodney Trott and off-spinner Tamauri Tucker.

"At the end of the day we to need put some things in place so that the home based players can be properly prepared," he said. "We need to basically give them the time off necessary to train and prepare because we cannot afford to want to be at that level and still expect the players to train two to three hours after they have finished working.

"Some things have to be put in place considering we are going to be playing against fully fledged professionals (West Indies). If we want to get the best out of our players then we must give them the time to prepare themselves properly so that they will be eating, sleeping and drinking cricket.

"In order for us to compete on the international stage, which is where we want to be really and truly, I think we need to understand we have to put the necessary time in – and employers and Government need to appreciate that in terms of giving our players every opportunity to train.

"The only way we can prepare well is if the guys are off at least three months to prepare so that they can work hard at getting their fitness levels up and it has to be an everyday thing for the next few months. You just cannot do it in two training sessions per week and I think something like this has to be done because the BCB is certainly looking at the proposal that the ICC High Performance Programme fully support."

As for the Windies game, Logie said: "It's quite interesting and they say what goes around also comes around, whether good or bad.

"Once you are coach of a team there is always a possibility you will come up against your former colleagues at some stage.

"But one has to be truly professional at what they do and right now I am coach of Bermuda and so all my focus is on getting Bermuda as ready as can be to compete against anyone."