The opportunity for four young Bermuda cricketers to play in Sri Lanka in January shouldn't be taken lightly.

So say a pair of Bermudians who have previously played in the same tournament, Kyle Lightbourne and Dean Minors.

Soccer star Lightbourne and wicketkeeper Minors were chosen to represent an ICC team at the inaugural Youth World Cup in Australia in 1988. And this week they recalled playing against the likes of Brian Lara and Jimmy Adams of the West Indies and England trio Mike Atherden, Mark Ramprakash and Nassar Hussain.

It was confirmed earlier this week that four top youngsters from Bermuda -- still to be named -- would be part of an Americas select (also including players from Canada, the United States and Argentina) to play in the tournament which starts in early January.

Lightbourne and Minors agreed it was the opportunity of a lifetime.

"At that time I felt I was able to compete at that level,'' recalled Lightbourne who, as a promising left-arm fast bowler, represented Bermuda at senior level and Somerset in Cup Match before pursuing a professional football career in England in 1992.

Lightbourne believes his experience in Australia helped prepare him for life as a professional footballer.

"For me, going to Australia and playing cricket helped me as far as coming to England and being away from home and being in a professional environment,'' said Lightbourne.

"It may not have seemed like much at that time but I can look back at that first Youth World Cup and say I was a part of it.'' Lightbourne sees it as a perfect chance for the Island's most promising youngsters to pave the way for a possible professional career. As a left-arm quickie, a rare type of bowler in world cricket, Lightbourne said a chance was presented to him to travel to England to play cricket by former Bermuda coach Doug Ferguson.

"When Dean went up to Newcastle, he (Ferguson) was trying to get me to go at that same time,'' recalled Lightbourne whose name at the time was linked with Durham, then a Minor League side.

Added the Stoke striker: "It's a bigger opportunity for them now than it was for Dean and myself. Cricket has come a long way since 1988. There are opportunities if they want to turn professional.

"When I was there (in Australia) I spoke to people from England but I wasn't really interested, I was more interested in football.'' Even today left-arm fast bowlers are rare but in demand, which prompted Lightbourne to ask if any of the Bermuda bowlers were left armers.

"It's a problem around the world,'' he said. "If you look at it, all the fast bowlers are right-handed. In England they have Allan Mullally but there is no one else after him. All around the world the opening bowlers are all right-handed.

"When you reach that level there are always people watching to see who's available. There's a big saying in football that you never know who's watching and it's the same in cricket as well.'' Minors, now in school in Orlando, Florida, said: "It's a great opportunity for them to go to Sri Lanka and compete at this level, it will give them a chance to compare their abilities to others of their age.

"The whole experience changed my life a lot, it enabled me as a youngster to see where I needed to improve in order to compete. I was able to guage my level and realise what work was required to make gains.

"But I would say to them that they must never feel inferior. They have to have confidence in their abilty from the outset, they must be open minded to the things they see and not afraid to ask questions after a game.'' One regret Minors had was not taking detailed notes and bringing them back to refer to in following years or even to pass onto other local players or the cricket board.

"To the board I would say have these players prepare and bring back such reports because they will be of immense benefit to others players.''