June has increased a notch since the arrival of national coach Roland Butcher two weeks ago.

One key member of the coaching staff Winston Reid, who has been chiefly responsible for getting the team prepared during the absence of Butcher, appears to be just as enthusiastic as his players now that training has shifted to another gear.

"Yes, we are really training hard now. There is no doubt that the entire squad has been inspired by his presence because they were looking forward to seeing him,'' said Reid who was appointed team coach last year during the Red Stripe Bowl in Antigua and Anguilla.

Although Butcher has just had three full sessions with the players to date, Reid has seen both a significant and positive response from each member of the squad.

"They are now doing extra training and doing the things that Butcher is asking them to do. I really am confident that they will be going to the ICC Tournment in Canada in decent shape both physically and mentally, possibly better then they were in for last year's Red Stripe Bowl in the Caribbean,'' he said.

The former Bermuda international opening bat has recognised the uplifting effect that Butcher's presence has had on the squad in a short period.

Their progress will be tested in just over a month's time when MCC arrive for their seven-game tour of the Island with the majority of matches scheduled against the national squad.

The Bermuda Cricket Board of Control have yet to release a schedule, but Reid reckons the squad will have at least four games while one is scheduled against Premier Division champions Western Stars and the other two against strong Bermuda Select squads.

"That MCC tour will be a big part of our preparation for ICC, it will be a true test to our national squad players because we will be able to guage just where they are performance wise going into ICC,'' said Reid.

The MCC tour will start on Thursday, May 17, when the tourists take on Western Stars at a venue yet to be announced.