Bermuda suffered more than wounded pride following their early elimination from the recent ICC Trophy cricket tournament in Toronto, Canada.

It turns out they also lost the chance of a massive cash boost.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced yesterday that the top three teams from the tournament would share a one million dollar fund to help them prepare for the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.

Netherlands, who won the ICC Trophy final, beaten finalists Namibia and Canada, who defeated Scotland in the third-place play-off, all qualified for the World Cup and will now receive more than $330,000 each.

Bermuda failed to get past the first round of the tournament, finishing fourth in their group and then suffering elimination at the hands of Namibia in a play-off.

Local cricket observers had believed the tournament presented Bermuda with their best-ever chance of qualifying for the World Cup finals.

The money handed out by the ICC yesterday will be used to stage tournaments and tours as well as to provide coaching and planning.

"There is an enormous gap in playing standards between hardened Test teams of full-time professionals and the part-time players from associate member countries," ICC development manager Andrew Eade said.

"The aim of this 18-month programme of intensive playing and coaching support is to give the four non-Test teams as much preparation as possible."