national team have been included in a squad of 30 players chosen by the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control to train for the ICC competition in Kenya early next year.

Dexter and Richard Basden, both of whom played for Somerset in Cup Match this year, are among a elite group of players the governing body are counting on to start preparing for the prestigious event.

Other surprise additions to the squad are Glenn Smith and Anthony Edwards, who on occasion have reported to have been on bad terms with the board.

The full squad is as follows: Albert Steede, Wendell Smith, Olin Jones, Charles Marshall, Ricky Hill, Jeff Richardson, Clay Smith, Glenn Smith, Richard Basden, Dexter Basden, Allan Richardson, Andre Manders, Dexter Smith, Noel Gibbons, Arnold Manders, Clevie Wade, Lionel Cann, Del Hollis, Bruce Perinchief, David Adams, Wayne Richardson, Kenny Phillips, Terry Burgess, Allan Brangman, Anthony Edwards, Diallo Sharrieff, Gary Williams, Quinton Burch, Allan Douglas, Dean Minors.

While refusing to comment on the lack of interest both he and his brother have shown in joining the squad during the past few years, Dexter Basden yesterday gave a positive response to the news of his addition, and even hinted that there was a strong possibility that his younger bother could be coaxed in accepting the invitation as well.

"I have not been officially contacted yet, but if I am I will definitely be interested in training with them,'' said Dexter last night.

It is uncertain how long Richard has not been involved in national selection, either for Bermuda or a President's XI, but Dexter did play for the latter against the Australian Test team during their tour of Bermuda two years ago.

Dexter was included in the Bermuda squad chosen to train for the visit of the West Indies Select in June, but did not play a game. He said yesterday that the reason he was unavailable was because of a injury.

"I was injured at the time, I didn't want to embarrass myself playing with the national team not fully fit, only my teammates at Willow Cuts were aware of it at the time. But I am fully fit now and looking forward to playing a lot of cricket,'' he said.

Meanwhile, BCBC president Ed Bailey said that the board had "put together the best possible squad to go to Kenya in an attempt to qualify for the World Cup.'' He added that contrary to previous occasions where a sole responsibility for selection rested on the shoulders of a single committee, this time the process was carried out by an assembly of senior players, a selection committee and board members to get a broader view of what was needed.

There is still the matter of finding a suitable coach to prepare the squad for the venture.

Bailey said that the search is ongoing and during the interim, senior players Wendell Smith, Albert Steede and Douglas would be overseeing training sessions.

DEXTER BASDEN -- Among an elite group of players selected to train for the ICC competition in Kenya.