Canada and Bermuda have some of the same challenges facing their national programmes as they prepare for the 2001 ICC Trophy which will be held in Toronto.

Canada, as seen from the just finished tour of Bermuda, have some promising youngsters coming through their youth programme, players who coach Franklyn Dennis thinks could soon be pushing for places in the senior team.

Bermuuda, on the other hand, have only just revamped the youth leagues, though some exciting talent is already starting to show itself.

Clevie Wade, who took over the coaching of the team at short notice, saw some of the Bermuda youngsters for the first time.

The former Bermuda all-rounder admits to being impressed with what he saw of players like Kanaz Tuzo, Dion Stovell -- the stepson of Cleveland player Curtis Jackson -- fast bowler Nasir Wade and spinner Philip Thomas, who endeared himself to the crowds with his fight and determination despite being the smallest player in the team.

Tuzo, a left-hander, impressed with an elegant 37 at Sea Breeze Oval earlier this week, while Stovell looks a promising batsman and seam bowler.

"With Dion it was his technique, that's why I pushed him up earlier in the batting,'' said Wade. "With Nasir Wade, the first time I saw him bowl was in Colts Cup Match.

"In a couple of games we played the batting hasn't been up to par, but once we get it together in all departments we should be all right. I would love to see them stay together and travel for more competition.'' The pool of talent is much smaller in Bermuda that it is in Canada where youth cricket is thriving in the provinces.

"Not all of the players here are from Toronto but most of them are,'' coach Franklyn Dennis said.

"We have about 4,000 youngsters playing cricket but it's kind of hard to be focused solely on cricket when there are so many sports out there like basketball, baseball and ice hockey.'' Dennis, who hails from Jamaica originally, says West Indian youngsters in Canada are meeting such distractions, while the players of Asian descent form the majority in cricket.

"Government has cut funding, in all sports, not just cricket, so we rely on CCA (Canada Cricket Association) funding alone,'' he explained.

Canada officials are now preparing turf wickets, as required by the ICC, for the ICC Trophy in two years' time.

"We have to have at least 10 turf wickets because the ICC will not let games be played on matting,'' explained the coach. "Already we have eight put in, though we haven't played on them yet.'' Dennis also read the article recently in which Ali Bacher of the ICC Development Committee suggested that Kenya and Bangladesh be automatically granted places in the next World Cup.

If accepted it could increase the number of teams in the next World Cup to 14, leaving three more places to be contested by the other ICC teams. Canada and Bermuda are encouraged by that possible development.

"Your senior team was in Toronto and performed admirably,'' said Dennis, who was also impressed with some of the youngsters he saw in Bermuda.

He singled out Landro Minors, whose 87 on Wednesday was the top score by a local player in the five matches, Philip Thomas and Dion Stovell.

"They all have to work hard and be willing to learn,'' Dennis believes.

"I like what I have seen. Even though we won the competition it wasn't a walkover. Yesterday (Tuesday) the select gave us a fight.

"We rested a couple of players, yes, but still we had to play three or four of our main players.'' Tours like these are learning experiences all round, said the coach. "I have to stress to my players that even with their ability and skill if there are no manners they won't go anywhere,'' he stated.