six-match tour of England have been asked by the Test and County Cricket Board to field their strongest possible teams.

A circular from Tim Lamb, secretary of the TCCB, to the clubs has called on them to field some first team players if possible. All the six matches Bermuda will play are either against County second XIs or teams containing upcoming youngsters.

The intensive two-week tour sees Bermuda playing the Northampton second XI, a Minor Counties XI, Surrey second XI, Worcester second XI, MCC Young Cricketers and the Leicester second XI.

All the matches will be played according to the rules of the 1992 Benson and Hedges Cup, with the obvious exception that no reserve days have been allocated in case of inclement weather.

Meanwhile, several members of the Bermuda squad have hit form just in time for the tour which begins this weekend. Clevie Wade and Charlie Marshall, both bidding to regain places in the team, have been two of the most in-form batsmen so far this season.

Marshall hit an unbeaten century on Sunday against Western Stars, his first ton in three years, and is averaging 78 from seven limited overs and open league innings. Wade has saved his best knocks for the limited overs game, with scores of 64, 45 and 39.

Wicketkeeper Dean Minors, who will make his senior Bermuda debut on the tour, hit a disciplined unbeaten 52 as an opening batsman against Southampton Rangers on Sunday and also had four dismissals behind the stumps.

Also getting amongst the runs on Sunday were vice captain Darrin Lewis who scored 66 not out against Police at Police Field and Jeff Richardson who scored 65 not out against Bailey's Bay while allrounder Noel Gibbons scored 40 not out for the home team.

New Bermuda captain Wendell Smith, already with a century (118) and a 65 under his belt this season, hit 37 on Sunday. However, one player noticeably off form is his opening partner Ricky Hill of Hamilton Parish who, in six limited overs and open cricket innings so far has managed scores of 14, 18, 11, 3, 14 and 17.

There has been some encouraging news in the bowling department where West Indies born Kenny Phillips has taken 12 wickets in his last two matches while Anthony Edwards had his first five wicket haul of the season against Social Club on Sunday. Main striker bowler Terry Burgess returned his best figures of the season -- six for 49 against Somerset on Sunday.

In addition to the 17-member tour party there will be about five others travelling to England to support the Bermuda team. The team leaves for England on Friday night and will return on June 20.

Squad: Reggie Pearman (tour manager), McDonald Swan (team manager), Wendell Smith (capt), Darrin Lewis (vice-captain), Ricky Hill, Clay Smith, Jeff Richardson, Charlie Marshall, Arnold Manders, Noel Gibbons, Clevie Wade, Dean Minors, Del Hollis, Terry Burgess, Anthony Edwards, Gary Brangman, Kenny Phillips. See tour itinerary on Sport Scoreboard.