In a move that will surprise and perhaps upset some local clubs, Bermuda Cricket Board of Control have scrapped this season's Knockout Cup competition.Confirming the decision, BCBC president El James said yesterday it was made "in the best interests of Bermuda cricket".

James explained that extra playing days made available by cancelling the tournament were required for the preparation of Bermuda's ICC squad, who travel to Canada in less than two weeks' time, and also the national under-15 an under-19 squads who also face international competition this year.

The senior squad will meet a League Select at Lord's this Sunday _ the day originally set aside for the opening round of the Knockout.

Other days designated for the Knockout during the the rest of the season will now see matches involving either the under-19 and under-15 teams.

According to James, the Board made their decision following a request by new national cricket coach Mark Harper who will be accompanying the ICC squad to the ICC tournament in Toronto on June 24.

James, however, agreed that the move would deprive club teams of one of the most recognised tournaments in the local programme.

"The teams will most definitely be deprived but the decision was made in the best interest of cricket at this particular time because national commitment comes before any domestic commitment," said the president.

"At this particular point this was the only solution that we could come up with and the full Board ratified it as it will give the ICC squad and the other two younger squads some additional time to get much needed match practice for these tournaments.

"We hope the clubs understand and fully support the move which I truly believe is in the best interest of our national programmes and cricket at large."

Harper is believed to have wanted the extra practise for his senior team following a series of poor turn-outs at training in recent weeks.

The team's only significant match-practice this year has been against the touring MCC squad early last month when they failed to win any of their games.

This Sunday was the only date left for a final practice match with the team scheduled to fly out just over a week later.

BCBC secretary Charlotte Simmons defended the decision, pointing out that it would enable the squads to take advantage of three Sundays - June 17, July 29 and August 4 - before tournaments begin for the younger national teams.

The Knockout final was slated for August 26.

"The coach really felt that it was important to have extra dates put aside for our national teams and this is what we came up with," said the secretary. "The ICC squad will be taking advantage of the date set aside for the first Knockout round which is this coming Sunday when they play a Select squad at Lord's, starting at 11 o'clock and one date is being confirmed for the Under-19 squad as we speak, while the others have yet to be confirmed."

The Under-19s face a major tournament - the first Americas Regional competition for that age category - on August 5-12 in Bermuda. Also involved will be Cayman Islands, Argentina, United States, Canada and a combined select from Belize, Bahamas and Panama.

The Under-15s travel to a tournament in Cayman Islands from July 19-29.