Trophy team who depart for Kenya next weekend, the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control announced yesterday.

Burch's selection means that the second stand-by player from the initial squad has now gained a place on the team at the expense of an opening batsman.

Last month, Dexter Smith came in when Ricky Hill lost his place for playing soccer, and now all-rounder Burch has replaced Wendell Smith who suffered a recurrence of a knee injury during the recent tour of Jamaica and withdrew last week.

"It's something I've been waiting very patiently to hear,'' said the Southampton Rangers player, who turned 32 last week. "I think the unfortunate thing about it is somebody had to get injured in order for me to get an opportunity.

"I was just trying to be patient and do the best I could as far as training and being there. Initially, when the first 16 was picked, I was disappointed at not being in that.

"As I got into the programme and put in the hard work I felt it would be a shame not to make the final trip.'' Because of work commitments, Burch was out of the game for about six years.

But being involved with the Southampton Princess All-Stars team kept his interest up.

"As I changed careers I got the opportunity to play again,'' he explained.

"When I came back I was 28 years old but still young enough to make some sort of impact.'' A call from the board on Tuesday night confirmed Burch to the team. He does not see his age as a handicap, but rather an advantage.

"Maturity helps,'' said Burch, who described himself as an all-rounder whose strength is bowling. "There are a lot of situations youngsters might not be able to deal with. I knew they were having a meeting but I figured I would have to wait until the morning to hear the news.'' Board president Ed Bailey is pleased with the choice of Burch.

"He was informed last night (Tuesday) and we sent an official letter to the player's employers today,'' said Bailey.

Bailey has no concerns about a bowler replacing a batsman. In fact, he thinks the squad of 16 is now better balanced with the additional strike bowler.

"Quinton Burch went to Jamaica and is a very intrical part of the squad,'' said the president. "His performances were first class in Jamaica.

"His employers have been put on notice since he was on stand-by. We've had to fight with the airlines to get Wendell's name changed. There are a few complications we did have.'' Promising young fast bowler Garry Williams has been drafted in as a stand-by with batsman Andre Manders.

This will be Bermuda's third ICC Trophy Tournament since Bailey took over as president of the board in 1983. With the way the preparation has been going lately, citing the tour of Jamaica and the coaching put in by former West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding, Bailey is confident the team will finish in the top three and thus qualify for the World Cup in early 1996.

"What we needed was more bowlers, that became very apparent during the tour of Jamaica,'' said Bailey. "It was a wake-up call for the players. The tour boosted them from a morale point of view.'' Also discussed during the board's meeting on Tuesday night was the structure of the league for the 1994 season with the president himself suggesting that the Super Eight format be adopted for the first time in six years.

That is not likely to be decided until February 1 when a follow-up meeting is scheduled. Then, it is off to Kenya for Bailey, who will act in an official capacity as chairman of the qualifications committee.

"I'm trying to look at this thing in a very positive way,'' Bailey said of the possible format change, which would see the top eight teams from last season playing in the Premier Division and the bottom eight in the First Division.

"If we're going to be in the top three (in the ICC) and compete in the World Cup in early '96, we're going to have to put things in a higher gear. People are expecting Bermuda to do well but are still dragging along in first gear.'' The board has spent approximately $300,000 in the last 12 months preparing for the tournament, with incoming and outgoing tours and two coaches being brought in. There is also a commitment to the development of the game at the youth level following a donation of $125,000 received last year from Exel Ltd.

Emphasis will be put on youth clinics during the summer as part of the development. "Once we come in the top three the enthusiasm will grow. I want to see kids walking around with cricket bats instead of basketballs,'' said Bailey.

I KNOW SOMETHING YOU DON'T, BURCHIE -- Michael Holding, right, the legendary fast bowler who assisted Bermuda during their tour of Jamaica, shares a joke with Quinton Burch at Sabina Park. Burch was yesterday named as the injured Wendell Smith's replacement to travel to Kenya for the ICC Trophy Tournament next Saturday. Picture: Dellmar.