international level, though indications are he will also miss the ICC Trophy in Malaysia next year.

Injury keeps Smith out of next month's Shell/Sandals squad and could affect his international aspirations in the long run.

Already experienced players like Noel Gibbons, Clevie Wade, Ricky Hill and Dexter Smith have been cast aside for new talent and now older members of the team realise their places are being threatened.

"I know this injury is going to rule me out of Malaysia because there is no other cricket I will be able to play,'' said Smith.

"Internationally I realise it's going to cost me Shell/Sandals and ICC but they have some good young players and I wish them well.'' Smith, also one of the island's top coaches, will follow the team's progress in Guyana very closely as youngsters try to establish themselves.

"It is a big disappointment missing the Shell/Sandals because I always wanted to see genuine quickies,'' he said.

"I'm looking to seeing which of our batsmen stand up to the sheer pace. I always wandered who's the best batsman in Bermuda and this tournament will give everyone a real guage as far as who is the top batsman.'' Smith sees the Shell/Sandals proving more of a challenge for the Bermuda batsmen and bowlers than the ICC Trophy which involves non-Test playing countries.

National coach Allan Douglas is showing forward thinking with his selections, picking some new faces for the tournament in Guyana when Bermuda will play Guyana, the Windward Islands and Barbados twice.

"Allan, as a coach, knows what he wants and what he expects of the players and they have a few experienced players like Arnold (Manders) around so it will be interesting to see,'' said the veteran opening batsman.

"I have to give Ed Bailey a lot of credit, he has prepared these guys with tours and they can't say they haven't had enough international exposure. This is going to be the real thing.''