The Bermuda Cricket Board of Control should be commended for enunciating and then following through on a promise to drug test players vying for a spot on the national squad, outgoing Youth and Sport Minister David Dyer said yesterday.

And he said the decision to test players sent the correct message to the community that the BCBC administrators were serious about drugs in sport.

"I though it was a good idea to test them,'' Dr. Dyer said. "I have always been of that opinion.

"The BCBC in this case has taken the appropriate measures to ensure not just that the sport is being run in the proper manner, but that the administration of the sport and the administrators have a level of concern both for the team and the country at large.'' Dr. Dyer said the revelations of drug use that rocked the Island in the wake of the Miami Seven soccer scandal had left the country reeling and no-one wanted to ever see that event repeated.

He continued: "At the very least drug tests allow a sporting body to identify those with a problem so that they can receive treatment.

"This will contribute to a few more people being saved from the ravages that drugs have cast on this community. I think it is only good and proper.'' The Royal Gazette disclosed that two unidentified players had failed the drug test in a story in Saturday's newspaper.

Bermuda is preparing for the Red Stripe Bowl which is due to begin in less than two weeks.

The team is expected to be chosen and announced after BCBC officials meet with players later this afternoon.

Board president El James refused to confirm The Royal Gazette's findings when questioned, because he said confidentiality was paramount in drug testing.