Cricket boss El James is backing the Island's Under-19s to win next week's international youth tournament in Bermuda and progress to the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand next year.

And he is banking on a follow through of Cup Match fever to entice locals to turn out in numbers to cheer on youngsters in the Americas Under-19 Cricket Championships which start at the weekend.

Bermuda take on the Cayman Islands in their opening match of the six-nation tournament on Sunday at White Hill Field, while Canada meet the US at Somerset and Argentina play a combined Panama-Belize-Bahamas team at Southampton Oval.

Three matches will also take place next Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and the team with the best record at the end will book their place in New Zealand.

James, president of the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control, said: "I'm looking forward to seeing our guys putting their best foot forward and giving 150 percent - and if they do that I'm certain we will win.

"It would be foolish to go into a tournament thinking we will be second, third or fourth. We have the players to have a good shot at qualifying.

"What's also improtant is the exposure they will be getting against these teams. It will let us know where we stand in international youth cricket.

"And the under-13s and under-15s can also get a look at this foreign opposition and maybe aspire to be in this position one day."

James said he knew little about the other teams, but he was aware that Canada had a strong side. And he felt the outcome of the tournament could come down to the final day, Saturday, August 11, when Bermuda play Canada at Somerset.

Bermuda's team will be skippered by Stephen Outerbridge and the squad also features one Somerset Cup Match reserve in the shape of Jacobi Robinson and one who would probably have been playing for St. George's if he had been fit, O.J. Pitcher.

Pitcher suffered a dislocated little finger while playing in an Eastern Counties match but hopes to be fit for at least some of the youth tournament.

"We have chosen 11 great players and all of them have an important role," said James. "All of them will have to lead at some time."

James hoped the enthusiasm generated by the annual summer classic would carry on through next week.

"The Bermuda public is getting a feast of cricket," said James. "First we're getting the local feature with the 100 years of Cup Match and then we're getting the international feature at youth level.

"So we'll be seeing a bit of history and then the future of the game. These are the boys who will carry on the cricketing tradition of this Island and the Cup Match tradition. So I hope people will come out and give them their support."

The tournament had originally been scheduled to take place in the US, but when the Americans pulled out two months ago, Bermuda had been delighted to step in as replacement hosts, said James.

National coach Mark Harper and manager Andre Manders will supervise the team. Arnold Manders was involved in the preparation of the youngsters for the tournament, but he will be away next week.

Bermuda under-19 squad: Stephen Outerbridge (captain), Chris Foggo, Delyone Borden, Philip Thomas, Dion Stovell, Jacobi Robinson, David Lovell, Oliver Pitcher jr., Shannon Raynor, Fiqre Crockwell, Jekon Edness, Mackie Crane, Shane Hollis. Coach: Mark Harper. Manager: Andre Manders.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

(All matches start at 12 noon)

Sunday, August 5 - Canada v USA, Somerset CC; Bermuda v Caymans, White Hill Field; Combined v Argentina, Southampton Oval.

Monday, August 6 - Canada v Caymans, Devonshire Rec.; Bermuda v Combined, Police Field; Argentina v USA, St. John's Field.

Wednesday, August 8 - Canada v Argentina, Sea Breeze Oval; Bermuda v USA, Southampton Oval; Caymans v Combined, Wellington Oval.

Friday, August 10 - Canada v Combined, Devonshire Rec.; Bermuda v Argentina, St. John's Field; Caymans v USA, Police Field.

Saturday, August 11 - USA v Combined, White Hill Field; Caymans v Argentina, Southampton Oval; Bermuda v Canada, Somerset CC.