Determining the best way for Bermuda to approach the one-day game is what coaching advisor Bobby Simpson will concentrate on -- hopefully in time to reap success at the Shell/Sandals Tournament next month in Guyana.

The Australian, who has established himself as one of the world's top coaches in the past decade, was this week settling into his role alongside national coach Allan Douglas as they prepare the Bermuda team for their biggest overseas venture yet.

After an introduction session on Sunday, the players got down to serious business on Monday evening with Simpson offering some new ideas. But it will be the Bermuda way, not the Australian way, that the coach hopes to develop.

"I want to work on a pattern of one-day cricket for Bermuda to follow but there's no point the Bermudians trying to play any other way than their own way,'' said Simpson.

"So what we've got to do is to work out the strengths of the Bermuda team, work out the tactics for the team to do well and look to improve every player by about five percent by showing them the way.

"Then the overall performance of the team is going to be much greater.'' Simpson has been to Bermuda four times previously, first in 1978 when he returned to the Test team after a 10-year absence to lead them to the West Indies. The team made a stop in Bermuda and Simpson's love affair with the Island then began.

"The talent is here, I've always been impressed but could not understand why they haven't done better in the ICC Trophy,'' said Simpson.

"From my point of view it's a new challenge, an exciting challenge in as much as they are players who want to learn and are looking for guidance.

"We've got to establish our own style and sometimes when I've seen Bermuda get lost along the way it's because I don't think there's an overall plan as to what they're trying to achieve.'' The country's baptism in Guyana against Barbados, the Windward Islands and the host country is eagerly awaited as the players come up against the top players in the Caribbean.

A good showing will stand them in good stead not only in the Caribbean but also boost them for the ICC Trophy in Malaysia early next year.

"What impressed me was how simple their techniques were which is a great starting point, and their enthusiasm is good,'' said Simpson.

Despite training all this week, Simpson's first real look at the team in a match situation won't come until the two practice matches in Guyana prior to the opening Shell/Sandals match against the Windward Islands on October 4.

"When we get to Guyana and have nothing for a couple of weeks but to play cricket that will be a huge bonus,'' the coach felt. "It will be better than having the players after work.'' "All of our practice routines will be designed along pressure, the same pressure they will play to,'' added Simpson. "So if the batsmen are batting, the bowlers are not there to give him practice but to bowl him out.'' Simpson heard about Bermuda's two wins over the Leeward Islands, but was not impressed with the fact that Leewards' spinner Earl Waldron bowled six straight maidens in the second match.

"There's no way a spinner should be allowed to bowl like that, particularly in the one-day game when there are so many gaps to hit the ball,'' said the coach.

From his experience of Guyana, Simpson expects the wicket at Bourda to be a good batting strip.

"The other grounds will be slow turners, I think, and we've got to come to terms with them.

"I don't think Bermudians, from what I've seen, have always played spinners as well as they might, so they'll have to learn to score runs off spinners.

"One-day cricket is the simplest possible form of cricket but it puts more pressure on than any other game.'' Simpson sees no reason why certain aspects of the Bermuda game can't improve in time for the Shell/Sandals. He estimated that the Australiam team were at the level Bermuda are at now when he took over 10 years ago. Now they are the world's top Test team.

"What I'll do is bring new ideas and enthusiasm because that has always been one of my great strengths,'' he promised.

"The strength of the Australian cricket team was that they enjoyed what they were doing and that came through.

"They were always very chatty, bubbly and business-like but we worked on the basis that if you can't enjoy it you shouldn't be there.'' Simpson will head back to Australia after the Shell/Sandals and will meet up with the team again in Malaysia in March.

"I'm looking forward to this new challenge, I've been trying to come to Bermuda for six years.'' he said.

DOWN TO BUSINESS -- Australian coach Bobby Simpson, seen here with spin bowler Bruce Perinchief, was quick to put the Island team through their paces following his arrival at the weekend.