kisses of family, friends and well wishers after a gruelling five-week foray into the ICC Trophy tournament in Kenya.

But while happy to be back on local soil and having performed above the expectations of many there was still frustration at their failure to achieve the stated goal of making it to the 1996 World Cup.

"I'm a bit disappointed at the fourth place finish, but we're happy to be home right now,'' said a weary skipper, Albert Steede. "We participated well in the competition, but I was most disappointed that we didn't qualify for the World Cup.'' A top three placing was required to gain entry to the World Cup, due to contain the world's leading Test-playing countries to be hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

After surging through the first two rounds with six straight victories Bermuda stumbled, losing their final three matches and falling from contention.

Said team manager Clarence Tucker: "Overall the tour was a success.

"Because we didn't qualify doesn't mean that it was not. We were given no chance from the beginning because of our performances in the previous tournament. However, I think we changed that very quickly after the first three games.

"Then after the sixth game, being unbeaten and beating teams comfortably we were ready. However, things just didn't work out.'' Several questions were yet raised about events on and off the pitch, none more pressing as to why former skipper Arnold Manders was not utilised much as a spin bowler, despite being the Island's leading wicket-taker with 51 scalps last season.

Instead leg-break bowler Bruce Perinchief and part-timer Clay Smith were used extensively, even while opponents were racking up scores in excess of 300 runs in the final three matches -- all losses.

It appeared a touchy subject among team members, although Steede explained the decision, saying: "If you had kept track you would have seen that the other bowlers did their job very, very well and that's all we really needed.

"It was a situation where he (Manders) really had to do his job. He was there for his batting... that's how it is with cricket.'' Also there was the matter of new champions United Arab Emirates possibly having ineligible foreign players.

It has been learned that an ICC committee received several unofficial protests against the UAE squad, with a decision expected by July.

One of the surprises of the tour was opening batsman Dexter Smith, who registered several fine scores, including a century against UAE.

"I wasn't personally surprised, because I've always had some kind of success against overseas competition,'' said Smith. "We had really good wickets over there so that made it easier by the batsmen.

"You saw by the scores that the bat dominated the ball virtually throughout the whole tournament, except for the Hong Kong match where the wicket was a bit dicey.

"Overall I was pleased with my performance. Obviously I would have liked to have done a little bit more. I struck form midway through the tour and when you're in form you don't want to get anything less than 60 or 70 and I got a few innings where I was out in the 30's and under 40, which really didn't measure up in the end.'' For most there will be a short respite before it is time to once again begin preparation for the regular league season.

WELCOME HOME -- Bermuda cricket team captain Albert Steede is welcomed by girlfriend Shauntia DeSilva, while team-mate Arnold Manders (back to camera) appears to have forgotten something in the arrivals hall. At far right is Del Hollis.