Bermuda coach Arnold Manders believes that picking a squad for this month's tour of South Africa and Namibia is going to be a 'nightmare'.

Manders, along with brother Andre has been running training for the national squad, and those two, alongside vice-captain Stephen Outerbridge have the task of whittling a 24-man training squad down to just 14.

The trio will use an inter-squad practice game today in Somerset to give players a final chance to push for inclusion, but even then Manders isn't looking forward to the task of selecting a final squad. Especially as he doesn't even know if he will be going yet.

Bermuda Cricket Board have finally received a work permit for new head coach David Moore, and the Australian will have a meeting with his current employers Down Under on Monday to see if he can be released in time to travel to South Africa.

In the event that he is, Manders will stay in Bermuda ¿ if not, he will take charge of the team for the four-day Intercontinental Shield match against Namibia next month, followed by two one day internationals, and a Twenty20 clash.

"It's difficult (picking a squad) for us," said Arnold Manders. "It's probably the most competitive I have seen it for a long time in training. We can only take 14, and there is a lot of competition for places, and a hunger to be involved.

"But it is going to be a nightmare to pick 14 players. I've juggled with it, Andre and I, and Stephen have juggled around with it for the last two, three weeks, and every time that we do it, there is a change.

"What we want though is to have that level of competition, nobody should be thinking that they can just walk into the team.

"Reputation means nothing, that's the way I think, I know that's the way David thinks, we want it similar to Australia, just at a lower level, if there's someone in the team who's not performing, then there is always someone else ready to jump in."

Of the 14 spots available, eight are almost certain to go to the likes of Outerbridge, David Hemp, Chris Foggo, Irving Romaine, Jekon Edness, Rodney Trott, Justin Pitcher, and Jordan DeSilva.

That leaves the rest to battle it out for the other six spots, with players such as Malachai Jones, Kyle Hodsoll, Stefan Kelly, David Lovell, and Tamauri Tucker competing for a couple of bowling places, while Regino Smith, Fiqre Crockwell and Ryane Shepherd look to force their way in on the batting side.

With a batting line-up deprived of the likes of OJ Pitcher and Janeiro Tucker, balance will be essential, and carrying a bowler who cannot bat, for example, is likely to be a luxury that Bermuda can ill-afford.

"We have eight seam bowlers in the squad," said Manders, "and that's a lot of competition for just four spots.If you're just in the team to bowl, then you need to be able to field and bat as well. Because like now, when it comes to picking the team, the ones who are going to get picked are the ones who can bat, bowl, and field."

Today's 30 over game takes place at Warren Simmons Field, and is due to start at 10.30am.

Team 1: Stephen Outerbridge (Capt.), Jekon Edness, Fiqre Crockwell, Joshua Gilbert, Regino Smith, Malachi Jones, Kevin Tucker, Ryan Steede, David Lovell, Tamauri Tucker, Dennico Hollis.

Team 2: Irving Romaine (Capt.), Chris Foggo, Ryane Shepherd, Rodney Trott, Shannon Rayner, Justin Pitcher, Jordan DeSilva, Jim West, Kyle Hodsoll, Deunte Darrell, Stefan Dill.