The Americas Championship starts today with Bermuda entering this tournament as slight favourites over Canada and USA.

In recent times both Canada and USA have had some close gruelling matches with Bermuda. There was a period when Bermuda dominated both of these teams but then the supremacy flipped on us and we struggled to compete at their level.

With none of the teams at full strength, the tournament promises to be interesting at the very least. In reality the pressure is on Bermuda and their coaching staff to deliver the goods at home. Will we be able to rise to the occasion, is the question of the day.

Today let's take a closer look at each team's profile, what we expect to see from them and what effect the playing conditions will have on the teams.

Before I actually discuss the players, let us take a closer look at the conditions under which we will be playing. Under normal circumstances we should be favourites as we are playing at home with our own supporters and on our own wickets.

The norm has been for very few spectators to turn up to support and watch our national team play. Optimistically, my hope is that things will be different this time around. Personally, I want to encourage people to come out and support our Bermuda national cricket team, showering them with positive comments.

I emphasise positive because of the following statement a national team player made; "I prefer to play away from home because here all we get is so much negative comment."

So far the wickets seem to be in good shape. Plenty of runs have been scored on the wickets Island-wide. The only wickets yet to be tested are St. George's and the National Sports Centre.

St.George's tends to be one of the better wickets on the Island so there should be no concern there. My one and only concern is that four out of the five games Bermuda play are at the National Sports Centre which in the past has favoured spin bowling. As the local team, it would have been practical to have some practice games on the National Sports Centre wicket so that we can familiarise ourselves with the pace and the bounce.

However, to my knowledge the national team have not yet played any practice games on the wicket, nor have they trained on it, hence making the elements even for all teams. This is ludicrous and I know it is no fault of the Bermuda Cricket Board, but it is just another behind the scenes issue that we need to sort out if cricket is to move forward.

Having said all of that, Bermuda will field a relatively strong team. Although weakened by several top players being unavailable, the Bermuda team received good news that in-form batsman Janiero Tucker will be joining them.

On the flip side, losing Chris Douglas will be a major blow as his ability to bat and bowl spin will be sorely missed. Bermuda have a few concerns with some of their players' lack of form. People like Shannon Raynor, Steven Outerbridge, Jekon Edness, all players who are accustomed to scoring runs, have been struggling as of late. However, those of us who know cricket know that tournaments like this can help to motivate a player and could be just what they need to inspire them to do well.

The bowling will rely heavily on Malachi Jones and Rodney Trott but don't be surprised if young Joshua Gilbert plays a major part in the spin bowling department. If Bermuda are to win this tournament they will have to play exceptionally well in all departments of the game.

Canada are a team who, if at full strength, would clearly be classified as favourites. However, they ,like Bermuda, are missing several first string players.

Canada who are known for having players from various countries around the world, such as Pakistan, India, West Indies, Sri Lanka and even Australia, will this time around have to rely on a team of youth with a few experienced players.

There are two key players Bermuda must watch out for, Rizwan Cheema, the captain, and Sunil Dhaniram.

Rizwan Cheema is well known among the Bermuda players as a ball beating machine. He has an international strike rate of 133.59 in the one-day game, which is phenomenal. Sunil Dhaniram, a left arm spinner and middle order bat, has done damage to Bermuda from both ends with the bat and ball, but more so with the ball. In his last four games against Bermuda he has bowled 38 overs, and has claimed eight wickets for 104 runs.

USA are another team fitted with several foreigners with a wide range of ability. This time around they come with a new look team.

Coach Clayton Lambert has opted to take a look at a few youngsters while surrounding them with quality senior players.

Two players Bermuda must look out for is skipper Steve Messiah and Lennox Cush. Messiah is Mr. Consistent with the bat. He reminds me of Noel Gibbons, a class act, nothing flashy about him but he keeps the scoreboard ticking and always seems to be among the runs.

Cush on the other hand is a genuine all-rounder. He has a first class hundred to his name and has been a nemesis to Bermuda before with his off spin.

USA are certainly a team to be cautious of and are capable of beating any team in this tournament and should not be taken lightly.

Argentina are, in my eye, the most improved team in the Americas tournament. Their strength is their fielding. They are very sharp and throw their bodies about to save runs. Their bowling is led by Lucas Paterlini who is well known to the Bermuda players and also their skipper Esteban MacDermott who can also be a handful.

As I said, this is a team that is fast improving and if one team could spring a surprise and beat one of the top three, it could be Argentina but a lot will depend on if they can find someone to come good with the bat as that is the weakest part of their game.

Cayman Islands are a very determined team. They always give 100 percent no matter what the cause. They possess a relatively young team but one player to watch out for is Ryan Bovell. Not new to the scene, he is a medium fast bowler with lots of aggression and also has the ability to hit the ball about. As for the rest of the team they also thrive on hitting the ball about and are improving as a cricketing nation slowly but surely.

Bahamas are relatively new to the Americas Division 1. They gained promotion to Division 1 by winning Division 2. The player to watch from Bahamas is batsman Ryan Tappin. He scored a total of 217 runs in the Division 2 tournament and was voted Player of the Tournament, which enabled Bahamas to be where they are today, playing in our lovely island of Bermuda.

Bermuda, if you are unable to get up to the National Sports Centre to witness your cricketing heroes, Bermuda Cricket Board along with Fresh TV, have combined so that you may watch all of Bermuda's games live on Fresh TV channel 3.

In closing, this should be an attention-grabbing and entertaining tournament. I encourage and urge the cricketing fans to come out and support our Bermuda national team. All we can ask of the team is to do their best and in doing your best I am sure you will do our country proud. Go Bermuda!!!