An adjourned court hearing in England is delaying the arrival in Bermuda of national cricket coach Roland Butcher, who now faces a race against time to prepare the Island squad for this summer's all-important ICC Trophy.

It was learned yesterday that Butcher had been advised by his barrister not to leave home in England until the case in which he is involved has been resolved.

It was unknown last night whether the case was criminal or civil.

However, according to Bermuda Cricket Board of Control president El James, Butcher is required to give evidence and has been asked to remain in England until the case proceeds.

Another adjournment this week has put the hearing back to early April, meaning that Butcher's earliest arrival would likely be later that same month -- less than two months before Bermuda's national team head to Toronto, Canada, for the ICC Trophy, the official qualifying tournament for the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.

Butcher could not be reached for comment yesterday and messages left at his home were not returned.

James flew out of the Island yesterday, but admitted before leaving he was "frustrated'' by Butcher's continued absence.

"We just have to be patient,'' he said. "As far as we know he will be here next month. If he isn't, we'll have to explore our options.'' Both the president and his BCBC committee are known to be deeply concerned by the turn of events and particularly disturbed by the latest delay.

Butcher, the first black West Indian to play for England at Test level, was hired last August after a lengthy search for a national coach.

He accompanied the squad to the Red Stripe Bowl in Antigua and Anguilla in October but returned to his wife and two children in England soon after and has not been seen by the national team since.

In his absence, former national team players Winston Reid and Clevie Wade have been taking charge of training sessions while the team have also being undergoing physical fitness training with Nick Jones.

Initially Butcher, formerly a middle order batsman with Middlesex, was scheduled to arrive by the end of 2000. But since then various anticipated arrival dates have come and gone.

And the BCBC could now be faced with looking for an alternative full-time coach should Butcher fail to arrive by next month.

June and July's tournament in Toronto is seen as Bermuda's best ever opportunity of qualifying for the World Cup with three of the 24 teams advancing to the final.

Bermuda have been placed in qualifying Group B where they will face Ireland, Denmark, Hong Kong, United States and Papua New Guinea.

The first match is scheduled for June 28.

Roland Butcher: Bermuda Cricket Board of Control say his arrival in Bermuda is being delayed by a court hearing in England at which he is required to give evidence.