upcoming knockout international cricket competition run by the West Indies Cricket Board, formerly known as the Shell/Sandals tournament.

The WICB are expected to announce more details today at a press conference in Jamaica, including a change of sponsors, dates and venues.

Bermuda Cricket Board of Control president El James said yesterday that there was nothing Bermuda could do other than have the national squad proceed with their training until full details of the tournament were received.

"All we know is that we will be playing three matches in Jamaica and possibly a fourth if we reach the quarter-finals,'' said James.

"There is nothing else we can do but wait and see what develops from this press conference in Jamaica.'' Bermuda's one-day matches are against Barbados, the Windward Islands and Trinidad and Tobago on October 4, 6 and 8 -- but not necessarily in that order against the respective countries. The quarter-finals are scheduled for October 11 in Jamaica.

By pitting each country against the other once the WICB have made a significant change to the previous format which called on countries to meet each other twice.

Tentative arrangements have Bermuda leaving for Jamaica on October 2 and returning on October 12. However, should they qualify for the semi-finals and final, the return would be delayed -- how much depending on whether the matches were scheduled for another island.

It was just last week that James expressed concern over uncertainty surrounding the tournament. Information about dates and venues had not been made available, frustrating the BCBC's attempt to organise travel arrangements.

But recent contact with the WICB has revealed that the event will proceed with new sponsors, following the withdrawal of Shell/Sandals.

"I have been assured that it will be held and tomorrow's announcement will reveal all,'' said James yesterday.

"We are proceeding accordingly, having the squad train with the same intensity and ensuring that the players are in good shape.'' The president said he was confident that the squad had been well prepared under the guidance of the Board's coaching committee and the two coaches, long-serving senior national coach Allan Douglas and his assistant Winston Reid, both former Bermuda internationals.

"We really appreciate what the coaches are doing. They are certainly doing their best and Bermuda must remember that Allan is doing the job part-time. We really are in need of a full-time coach,'' added James.

"There are people who have been far too critical of him (Douglas). But they must remember that he is giving the country a lot of his time and doing so unselfishly. There are few out there who give as much to the sport of cricket as he does. The Board are fortunate to have him around.'' James said that despite some coaching headaches and a shortage of facilities, he expected Bermuda to perform well, although it would be some time before the squad reached its peak.

"I know they will be giving their best. But the fact remains that Bermuda cricket will struggle for a while at the international level because we are building a programme.

"It took Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe some time to win after they reached Test status. They were patient and that's what we have to be,'' noted James.

"Our aim is to work towards development and in the meantime if it means that we are going to take a few thumps on the field, then so be it. The important thing is that we will learn from those thumps, and hopefully we will be giving more out than we receive when we reach our goal.'' Former West Indies Test players Joel Garner and Gus Logie fly into the Island at noon today for Saturday's Testimonial cricket match at Somerset CC.