placed in a `tough' group for next year's ICC Tournament in Canada.

And the former fast bowler also felt the expansion of the Red Stripe Bowl would help Bermuda's bid for a first-time victory.

Bermuda were drawn in Group B alongside Ireland, Denmark, Hong Kong, United States and Papau New Guinea, however James found it difficult to hold back laughter when asked whether he agreed this to be a difficult proposition.

"I don't look at it as a tough draw,'' said James, remembering the days when anyone group alongside Bermuda knew they were in for a rough time. "When you look at Hong Kong, Papau New Guinea, these are teams that we rolled over without breaking a sweat.

"And talking to people from these countries they seem to feel their standard has slipped as well and here we are struggling against them. It's incredible, but that's behind us right now.'' Regarding the Red Stripe, James was optimistic that Bermuda would finally get over the hurdle, especially with the possibility of facing some of the region's smaller territories now being included as individual entrants as opposed to combined islands.

This he noted would give confidence and lead to more success down the line.

"I think the time is not far away that we're going to go to the Red Stripe and thrash somebody. And with the expansion of the Red Stripe to include other individual islands, Bermuda, with the development that we have and plans that we have, we're going to take charge.

"We're also going into the regional tournament seeded number two behind Canada. This is where we're looking to gain some respect and get back up there to where -- in this region -- we're ranked number one and go forward from there.''