A huge question mark hangs over injury-prone Clay Smith's ability to lead Bermuda's ICC Trophy campaign in Ireland this summer.

The national team skipper, who consistently leads by example on the field and was the team's top scorer in international matches last year, insisted yesterday he would be fit to play.

But reliable sources have told that Smith is not up to par physically ? less than six weeks prior to the squad's departure to the UK on June 19 ? and is in serious danger of having to relinquish the captaincy.

Smith has undergone multiple knee surgeries in the past ? the last of which was late last year ? and only last month he suffered another setback when he injured himself fielding in the covers during the national squad's ten-day training camp in Trinidad.

In the event Smith is ruled out through injury, then fellow ICC Trophy veterans Charlie Marshall, Albert Steede or Janeiro Tucker could be called upon to take over the reins and lead the Island's bid to qualify for the 2007 World Cup.

When contacted yesterday, a disturbed Smith stated via e-mail: "That is rubbish . . . it's ludicrous. I was injured last summer when I scored the most runs (representing Bermuda with an injured knee) and I have nothing to prove to anyone."

Last summer saw Smith top Bermuda's batting averages during the Americas Regional Championships and ICC Inter Continental Cup tournaments and become the first local player to score three centuries in Cup Match.

Smith added: "My knee was in the same position it is now and I am not worrying myself. I will be in Ireland."

National team physiotherapist Daniel Morgan declined to comment on Smith's fitness.

"From my point of a view as a chartered physiotherapist I don't think it is fair someone comes to you in confidence and then they turn around and discover their history in the newspaper," he said

Morgan is due to submit final physical analysis of all national squad training members to Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) authorities tomorrow.

"Not only would it be negligent . . . but almost criminal of me to release medical information on any of my patients," Morgan added.

Asked about Smith's injury problems, national coach Gus Logie said: "We have concerns about every player. But at this point in time we are still waiting for our medical guy (Morgan) to make an assessment of all the players."

Chairman of national team selectors Arnold Manders declined to comment on Smith's physical status.

A final squad of 14 will be picked this Saturday to represent Bermuda in what promises to be a rigorous trip to Ireland.

Following warm-up games in southern England in late June, Bermuda initially face five group games in just seven days in and around Belfast.

Their opening match is against hosts Ireland on July 1 followed by games against United Arab Emirates (July 2), Denmark (July 4), Uganda (July 5) and USA (July 7).

Meanwhile, learned yesterday that talented all-rounder Richard Basden had pulled out of national team training last week because of a right shoulder injury.

Sources disclosed the player had still been attending practice sessions while subsequent x-rays had revealed the injury was not as serious as first believed.