foursome for experienced campaigner Michael Way.

Three of the four players who helped Bermuda to promotion from American Zone Group Four last year -- James Collieson, Ricky Mallory and Jenson Bascome -- have kept their places.

And they will be joined by Donald Evans, who this weekend got the nod over Way from Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association's National Select Committee.

Way will be first alternate and will only be brought into the team if one of the four chosen players withdraws before the start of the tournament in Cuba in March.

Work commitments rendered Way and Evans, both in their mid-30s, unavailable for last year's Davis Cup, but both declared an interest in playing in this year's event.

Way said recently that working late shifts for stockbrokers G-Trade had left him with little opportunity to practise, as other players were mostly unavailable at the times he could play, all of which left a question mark over his match fitness.

But the selectors' decision may have hinged on US-based Evans' victory over Way in the Coral Beach Invitational last month.

Evans has struggled to get the better of Way over the years, but on this occasion, after losing the first set, he fought back to win the next two as Way faded.

Bermuda won five of their six Davis Cup matches in Honduras last year to gain promotion, as Bascome enjoyed an impressive debut. But according to BLTA honorary life vice-president Alan Simmons, their task in Cuba will be much tougher.

The eight teams in Group III have been split into two groups of four. Bermuda are in Group B, with hosts Cuba, Bolivia and Jamaica. El Salvador, Honduras, Trinidad and Tobago and Puerto Rico make up Group A.

"It's going to be very tough,'' said Simmons. "I don't know much about Cuba, but I think they've just come down from Group II so they should be quite strong.

"We have played Jamaica and Bolivia before and we know they will be difficult.'' After playing the other three teams in Group B, Bermuda will play off against two teams from Group A for promotion, or to avoid relegation, depending on whether they finish in the top two in Group B or the bottom two.

Simmons declined to discuss the reasons why Evans was chosen ahead of Way. But he did say: "Selection this time was difficult.

"In past years, we've usually had four players head and shoulders above the rest -- this time we had five.'' BLTA president David Lambert said the team, which will be captained by Steve Bean, knew all about winning.

"Donald Evans, Ricky Mallory and James Collieson were all part of the 1997 team which won promotion and Jenson Bascome was in the team which went up last year, so they are all Davis Cup winners,'' said Lambert.

"And Steve Bean is the longest-serving captain we've had and played a big part in promotion last year, so I think we have a good chance of putting up a good show.'' The matches in Havana will be played between March 14 and 18.

Michael Way: left out of Bermuda's Davis Cup foursome for the trip to Cuba.