A new horizon beckons for Bailey's Bay cricketer Glenn Smith as he heads off to England to take an apprenticeship with club side Banwell of the Northumberland League next month.

Smith's chance comes as a result of the success of fellow Bermudians Clay Smith and Dean Minors, who enjoyed solid seasons last year with Banwell and Tynedale respectively.

Smith says he's determined to be just as successful.

"I'm pretty much excited about finally getting the chance for some overseas exposure,'' said Smith, who saw a similar deal to play in England organised by Noel Gibbons fall through two years ago.

"I'm hoping to go and be able to attract interest from other clubs, so that I could get picked up and maybe turn professional.'' It was suggested to Clay Smith at the end of last season that he find another Bermudian that could possibly help the club.

A call was sent out to Glenn Smith, an explosive early order left-handed batsman who has represented Bermuda at both youth and senior level and has also taken part in Cup Match for St. George's.

The response was a resounding "Yes''.

But there is a catch. Banwell's need is in the bowling department, while Smith is best known as a batsman.

He was used as an occasional spinner by Bailey's Bay, sometimes reverting to medium pace with some success, but batting remains his strength.

"They need a medium pace bowler and I like to bowl as well as bat,'' said Smith, who is scheduled to depart on April 27. "I prefer bowling medium pace -- which is what they want -- rather than spin and I think I bowl better as a medium pacer.

"Hopefully I can improve as I bowl more. They know about my batting, but want a bowler...anyway this gives me an opportunity to get out of here.

"I'm just going to go there and play my own game, take it one day at a time and whatever happens, happens... Last season was a poor one for Smith, who missed several games because of work commitments.

The 22-year-old failed to make either the batting or bowling averages and admitted "it could have been better''.

Yet, he remains a feared opponent whenever he takes to the crease. He can score runs quickly from a variety of strokes and is also a fine covers fielder with a strong arm.

Smith's attitude and temperament have previously been questioned, but recent years have seen him mature in those areas and he insisted of this latest challenge: "I'm ready.'' However, he revealed that he had considered quitting the sport and would have done so had he did not received an offer to play overseas within a certain time period.

"I was saying to myself that if I don't get there now, when I reached 25 or 26 I would quit as there's not much left for me to play for on the Island.

Meanwhile, Minors is set to have St. George's left-arm, medium-pace bowler Greg Foggo accompany him to Tynedale.

And Bermuda could ultimately have five players performing in England if Noel Gibbons decides to return for another campaign with Halesowen.

GLENN SMITH -- will join Clay Smith at Northumberland club, Banwell.