playing in all of the West Indies regional competitions by 2000.

And if the country succeeds in qualifying in Malaysia in March for the next World Cup, then "that door could swing open a little faster''.

"I'm hoping that before the year 2000 we will be in all the West Indies competitions and in the World Cup in 1999,'' said Bailey.

Bermuda have already been accepted permanently into the Shell/Sandals limited overs competition. Next on the agenda is the four-day Red Stripe competition, and already there is talk of a Bermudian making it to the West Indies Test team before long.

Bailey expects things will begin to happen for the Bermuda national team after some impressive performances in the Shell/Sandals competition in Guyana recently -- even though the team lost all six of their matches.

"We can see a bright future for Bermuda's cricket in the Caribbean competitions,'' he said.

Bailey saw three of Bermuda's matches in Guyana. Now he has been invited to the West Indies Board meeting in Antigua on November 14 when the Island's future in West Indies cricket will be discussed. Canada and the United States, who will alternate participation in the Shell/Sandals, have also been invited.

Also on the agenda is the 2003 World Cup, which the West Indies are hoping to host. Bermuda may just be seen as a possible venue for a match or two.

"My main emphasis is to push for the under-19 competition for 1998 and the under-15 and Red Stripe for '98 or '99,'' said Bailey. "That would give us '97 to play in the Shell/Sandals again.'' Bailey stressed that the added competition will put extra responsibilities on the players who would need to be compensated by either Government or business for extended time away.

"We have to look at ways of raising funds to support all of this,'' he said.

"The West Indies Board is looking to sign up its own players because they are hoping to have a professional league along the same lines as in the UK. If they do that I'm going to encourage as many Bermudians as possible to participate in it.'' Bailey, who has been president of the BCBC since 1983, thinks the officials in the West Indies began to take Bermuda's cricket seriously since the Island began hosting Test teams at the end of their tours to the Caribbean.

"I said a few years ago that we would get into West Indies competition before 1998 and it happened two years before. We are placed in Shell/Sandals again next year and at the moment the opportunities are endless.'' One question that the BCBC could be faced with in the not-too-distant future is whether to remain as an ICC Trophy participant every four years or force close ties with the West Indies so that a Bermudian could become eligible to play Test cricket.

"The future administration of the board has got some very, very key decisions to make, because Bermuda's cricket is at its crossroads and the opportunities for the youngsters are there,'' said Bailey.

"I can't believe the number of people who have stopped me on the street to congratulate me. I have never seen so many people on this island so happy with the progress of Bermuda's cricket.'' Coaching consultant Bob Simpson has returned to Australia but will join up with the Bermuda team again in Malaysia. In the next few days Bailey expects to receive a written report from Simpson on the Shell/Sandals and soon the wheels will be pointing towards the next ICC Trophy.

"Everything is all set up for Malaysia now and Jamaica have confirmed their commitment to have us down there from December 26 to January 5 for six or seven matches.

"Then we will be looking to host the Indian team on their way to the West Indies in February and then we are off to Malaysia in March.''