The wives of Bermuda?s national cricketers will be allowed to accompany the team on tour for the first time on their month-long Canada trip which begins today.

The Bermuda Cricket Board revealed yesterday that because of the unusual length of this latest excursion overseas, they had agreed to pay for the flights of any wife who wished to stay with her husband in Toronto, although the cost of the hotel has not been covered.

As it stands, four wives have taken up the offer and will fly to Canada at various times after the conclusion of the Intercontinental Cup game with the hosts from August 11-14.

On all previous tours, the players have roomed together in pairs, but the BCB have confirmed that those affected will be allowed to stay in the same room as their wives throughout the stay ? meaning room-mates will have to be shuffled around to accommodate them.

The BCB has not extended the same courtesy to girlfriends or other family members, however, agreeing only to pay for ?common-law wives?.

National coach Gus Logie said yesterday he had ?absolutely no problem? with their presence on tour, insisting it would be good for morale.

?It?s something that has been discussed before and given that we?re going to be away for almost a month, I think it is a good move,? he said.

?We?ll be on our own for the four-day game, but after that there is quite a large gap ? other than the three friendly games against Canada ? until the Americas Championship starts on the 22nd. So it will be good to have some of the wives around and will help the players concerned be a little more relaxed and settled.?

Meanwhile, in the days leading up to Cup Match last week Logie called on his national team players to dominate proceedings at the classic and to show why they are regarded as the country?s leading players.

And for the most part, the Trinidadian was satisfied with their performances ? even if he was quick to reject St. George?s skipper Lionel Cann?s insistence during a passionate victory speech that veteran left-hander Charlie Marshall should still be part of the national team set up.

Marshall scored a superb 88 on the first day, rescuing his side from the perilous position of 59 for four.

?I challenged the players to deliver in Cup Match and by and large I thought they did,? he said.

?OJ Pitcher?s 98 on the first day was an excellent knock, and it was good to see the likes of Lionel Cann, Stephen Outerbridge and Saleem Mukuddem get some runs under their belts as well.

?Clay?s return is obviously very important for us and I was glad he came through the game looking in good nick and his knee held up. I thought Lionel captained St. George?s very well also, which bodes well for the future.

?There were one or two poor performances where I felt the thought processes were not what they should be ? but overall I was happy to see the guys do well ahead of what is a very important tour.

?I don?t really have much a view on what Lionel said afterwards. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, and if he was a selector maybe the situation would be different. But he isn?t and I am more than happy with the players that have been picked.?