players in the ICC Trophy from four to seven years was defeated at last week's ICC meeting in London.

Instead a compromise was reached with players bidding to represent their country of residence now required to reside in that country for five years.

The proposal was lobbied by Bermuda Cricket Board of Control president Ed Bailey, who is also chairman of the Qualification Committee for ICC.

Bailey reasoned that countries who relied heavily on foreign-born players could abuse the policy and that the whole idea of giving non-Test-playing countries international exposure was to develop the game in those countries.

"We needed some very strict guidelines so as to prevent countries from abusing the ruling,'' he said yesterday. "We knew some countries were deliberately trying to undermine the whole system.'' Bailey explained that the initial seven-year proposal received stiff opposition, from countries like the United States, Canada and Holland, who have foreign-born nationals in their teams.

"We got great support from Kenya and Bangladesh,'' Bailey added. "In fact they were as boisterous as we were.'' In past ICC Trophy Tournaments, Bermuda have relied on the talent of West Indian-born players, namely former captain Colin Blades, Lionel Thomas, Winston Reid and Adrian King and Tyrone Smith. Blades and Thomas now have Bermuda status.

Bailey admits that Bermuda would have been affected by the seven-year proposal, which would have effectively ruled out West Indians Dennis Archer and Kenny Phillips who are in the squad presently training for next year's ICC Tournament in Kenya.

"Of course I have no problem with people who properly qualify,'' said Bailey.

"The fact that we have two West Indian nationals in the team shows the noard has no objections (to West Indians in the Bermuda team).'' Bailey added that the new ruling does not affect those players who have already qualified. However, those seeking to qualify would be required to reside in their adopted country for 240 days of each year for the five-year period. And if they have played Test cricket in the past 10 years they are automatically ineligible.

"The seven years is a benchmark for 1998,'' said Bailey. "At least we got some movement and we're focussing on the fact that we're very serious about the residency thing. We want countries to develop their own citizens and we don't want them to be importing people.'' There are three categories of qualification for the ICC; to be born in the country, to obtain citizenship and on the residential ruling.

Bailey also sought to confirm three tours to Bermuda this year while he was in England. And while Derbyshire have accepted the terms of a five-match visit, the Pakistan tour is yet to be comfirmed though Bailey expects to hear from them by the end of the week.

"We've given them our proposal,'' Bailey explained. "It's whether they accept the fact that we are not going to be able to pay professional fees. We met with their delegation and we are still waiting to hear back from them.'' The intention is to have the Pakistanis here for two matches on May 8 and 9 during their four-day stay. They would arrive on May 7 after the final Test match against the West Indies in Antigua.

If the tour goes ahead three of their top players, new captain Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Mushtaq Ahmed, could be unavailable because of contractual agreements in the English county championship.

The details of the West Indies `A' team tour here in June will likely be finalised during the Bermuda squad's training camp in Barbados next month.

The Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association will hold a meeting tonight (7.30) at the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation board room.