The Bermuda Cricket Board of Control stands to benefit from the success of the Australians in their Test series in the West Indies.

The fact that the Aussies have managed to hold their own against the world champions in the four Test series (the series is tied at 1-1 with one match remaining) has generated plenty of interest in their upcoming tour of Bermuda.

So much so, that BCBC president Ed Bailey expects this tour to be even more successful than the last one by the Australians in 1991 when the Australians also played three matches.

"We're hoping the Australians can sustain the interest that has generated through the public,'' said Bailey, who leaves on Saturday for Jamaica to watch the final Test match. Bailey will return with the Australians on the charter flight on May 6.

"The Test can go either way and even if the Australians lose in Jamaica, if the match goes down right down to the wire on the fifth day there is no doubt there will be very high interest.

"We're expecting big gates, and I expect this tour to be more successful than '91. We're highly charged and far more organised than '91.'' The Board has managed to secure three major sponsors for the three match tour, with each sponsor having a match named after them or their products. In the opening match against Cup Match champions, St. George's, on May 11, the match will be called the Coca-Cola/Evian Cup Match.

Against the President's XI on Saturday, May 13, the match will be the Heineken/Dewars match and the match between Bermuda and Australia will be known as the Bank of Bermuda International. All sponsors will also have hospitality tents at the grounds and the sponsors will host a reception for the tourists on May 8.

"Jack Edwards, the manager of the team, talked to me on Monday evening just to confirm everything,'' said Bailey. "They have been in steady contact with us since Trinidad.

"We had a meeting last night (Tuesday) with all the field operators and sponsors, Bank of Bermuda, Burrows Lightbourne and Barritt's. Each sponsor gets a match.'' Bailey has been assured that the Australians will bring their full squad to Bermuda, including coach Bobby Simpson who has been hospitalised in Barbados with thrombosis in his legs.

"I didn't speak to him personally but he's back on his feet,'' said Bailey.

The board is hoping to tap into the knowledge of Simpson who is rated as one of the top coaches in the world. "With the IYT team in training hopefully Simpson will be well enough to give them some instructions,'' said Bailey.

Bailey said it is also hoped that the Australians will also be able to go into the schools to give coaching lessons. A high number of school children will be admitted free for the match against St. George's on the Thursday.

As was the case four years ago, a number of Australians will be coming to Bermuda with the team, having been in the Caribbean to support their team.

"Many of the players' wives (and girlfriends) will be travelling through London and will meet them here on the 6th so there will be another contingent of about 20 coming here. Also a dozen or so others are interested in getting on the charter from Jamaica.'' FLASHBACK -- Anthony Braithwaite, playing for St. George's Cup Match XI, bowls Australian opener Geoff Marsh during the opening match of the 1991 tour, which Australia won by just 18 runs.