Frustrated and fatigued, Bermuda?s cricketers head into the final straight of their five-week African tour today still seeking their first victory.

And if it?s any consolation, opponents Canada will know exactly how they feel, having themselves gone seven one-day matches without a win until breaking that drought with a five-wicket triumph over Bermuda on Monday.

While drawing both of their four-day Intercontinental Cup games against first Kenya and then Holland, Gus Logie?s men have failed to show any consistency in the one-day outings. They suffered a 3-0 whitewash against the Kenyans in Mombasa earlier this month and in back-to-back Tri-Series games this week went down to the Canadians and the Dutch in Potchefstroom.

Today, they?ll be hoping a change of venue will bring a change of fortune as they look to earn their first points of the round-robin tournament.

Willowmore Park in Benoni, just outside Johannesburg, like Sedgars Park in Potchefstroom, is a venue used during South Africa?s hosting of the last World Cup and the long drive from the High Performance Camp in Pretoria where the players are again staying should give them ample time to contemplate the task at hand.

Bermuda?s players, in spurts, have performed well against all of their opponents during this tour but for whatever reason have been unable to blend all the right ingredients into one match.

When they?ve batted well, they?ve bowled poorly, and vice-versa, although most observers believe, and probably the players themselves would agree, it?s the lack of penetration from the front-line bowlers that?s caused most problems.

And it?s questionable whether they can improve in that area as they head into today?s penultimate tour match against Canada and Saturday?s finale against Holland with all four of their strike bowlers either unfit, woefully out of form or suffering from a combination of both.

Ryan Steede strained his back against Canada earlier this week and is unlikely to have fully recovered in time for today?s game and Kevin Hurdle spent a miserable three days in Potchefstroom with a stomach bug which prevented him from even attending the games, let alone playing.

As of yesterday he was still listed as doubtful.

Saleem Mukuddem, arguably Bermuda?s most consistent and penetrative bowler on this tour, failed to finish Tuesday?s match against Holland as he tripped over the boundary rope and hurt his ankle, attempting to prevent a six.

He was expected to be fit for today?s clash, and may again be joined by young Stefan Kelly who, while showing some improvement against Holland on Tuesday, has yet to demonstrate the line, length and control which is required consistently at this level.

On top of those troubles, Janeiro Tucker continues to carry a knee injury and wicketkeeper/opening batsman Dean Minors, whose performance at the top of the order could be crucial if Bermuda are to snap their losing streak, is nursing a bruised knee. But with only a 15-man squad to draw upon, it?s was always inevitable that towards the end of the tour players would be required to battle through injuries, and those in the Canadian and Dutch camp claim to have similar problems.

Before Monday?s loss to Canada, Bermuda had beaten their North American neighbours three times in a row in one-day games, and there?s no reason why they shouldn?t be able to bounce back today.

On paper, their batting line-up would appear the stronger of the two sides with Clay Smith, Minors, David Hemp, Irving Romaine, Stephen Outerbridge, Janeiro Tucker, Kwame Tucker, Mukuddem, and Lionel Cann all capable of big scores.

And as coach Logie said earlier this week, if those bats can give the bowlers a substantial total to defend, it?s only a matter of time before the attack comes good.

However, on this tour, as of yet, it hasn?t happened.

Today would be as good as any to start.

Bermuda and Canada will both be given Police escorts on the 60-kilometre drive from Pretoria to Benoni this morning with the threat of early morning traffic delaying the start of the match.