formidable Trinidad and Tobago side to play Bermuda in the opening match of the Red Stripe Bowl in Jamaica.

In addition to facing the world record run scorer, who is also vice-captain of West Indies Test team, Bermuda will encounter the might of other players with Test experience such as vice captain Phil Simmons, fast bowlers Ian Bishop and Mervyn Dillon, leg-spinner Rajindra Dhanraj and wicketkeeper David Williams who has been recalled to the Test team.

The Trinidad-Bermuda match is scheduled for Chedwin Park, St.Catherine on Saturday, October 4. Trinidad and Tobago will be defending the trophy.

While the formidable Trinidad line-up will install them as hot favourites to defeat Bermuda, the message that Bermuda national coach Allan Douglas is sending to his team is `don't be intimidated or overawed by the presence of any prominent player -- not even Lara.' "What we try to do is have the players focus on our game plan,'' said Douglas. "We mentioned this to them the other night and tonight (Wednesday).

If we just concentrate on our game plan and stick to that we should be okay.'' "I am not saying that that we will come out and be world beaters. I am just getting the message through to them that we can force a result in our favour if we stick to the plan. It's important to do what we have to do, and that's doing what we rehearsed or practised.'' Douglas noted it was important for the players to remember the messages given to them during recent talks with Australian Bobby Simpson, who was the team's coach during the ICC Trophy tournament in Malaysia, and former Bermuda cricket great Alma (Champ) Hunt.

Both stressed the importance of taking a positive approach, always feeling that they were as good or even better than their opponents -- regardless if they were professionals or not.

"Sure you will meet people that have Test experience or players who are out there in the arena where they have already proved themselves. But what we must recognise is that cricket is a great leveller of teams, expecially in one day cricket. And on a given day any team can be beaten,'' said Douglas.

"If we stick to a plan, continue to be positive and play good, attacking cricket we will be okay as both Mr. Simpson and Mr. Hunt have told us. And I am sure that the players will go to Jamaica with that attitude.'' Despite the delay in naming Bermuda's squad, Douglas reckoned that it was the best one available and he felt the players would give a good account of themselves.

"I am satisfied with it. I am sure that we will go and do the best we can. We should fare very well actually. We will be lookng for a couple of results down there. Hopefully we can peak at the right time and that is something we are trying to guage right now,'' added Douglas.

The fact that Trinidad and Tobago are fielding their best possible team indicates just how seriously they are taking the tournament, said the coach.

Once huge setback for Douglas is being unable to travel with spinner Hasan Durham who was forced to withdraw from the squad because of school committments overseas.

Meanwhile, Jamaica face Bermuda at Alpart Ground, Mandeville on October 8 and the host country are expected to have the West Indies Test captain Courtney Walsh leading them once again.

Like Bermuda, Jamaica were delayed in naming their squad until this week -- but a tentative squad of 20 was named last week in order that their names could be put on the jerseys.

Included in the squad are two other Test players, namely fast bowler Franklyn Rose and opening batsman Robert Samuels and former Test fast bowler Patrick Patterson.

BERMUDA OPPONENTS Trinidad and Tobago: Brian Lara (capt), Phil Simmons (vice-captain), Rajindra Dhanraj, Suruj Ragoonath, Andre Lawrence, Nigel Francis, Kenneth Hazel, Ian Bishop, David Williams, Mervyn Dillon, Lincoln Roberts, Daren Ganga, Dinanath Ramnarine, Richard Smith. Team mananger is Rangy Nanan.

Jamaica: Courtney Walsh, Shane Ford, Leon Garrick, Christopher Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Tamar Lambert, Delroy Morgan, Brian Murphy, Patrick Patterson, Nehemiah Perry, Kirk Powell, Tony Powell, Ricardo Powell, Franklyn Rose, Marlon Samuels, Robert Samuels, Laurie Williams, Carl Wright, Mario Ventura.

HEAVY HITTER -- Bermuda bowlers will have their work cut out for them for when they go up against Brian Lara, who has confirmed his appearance for Trinidad and Tobago in the upcoming Red Stripe Bowl.