A last-minute change of schedule has given Bermuda?s Davis Cup team an extra two days to adjust to the altitude and heat of Costa Rica.

The team arrived in full on Friday for their American Zone Group Four clashes expecting to begin battle yesterday. But organisers instead switched the fixtures around leaving captain Steve Bean?s team to play five game in five days starting tomorrow.

Despite the surprise at the announcement, rather than hindering the team?s progress Bean believes the delay will actually help.

?In all my years of being involved in the Davis Cup I have never known them change the schedule like this,? said Bean, speaking from the Heredia resort in Costa Rica where the six-team event is taking place.

?We have always started on the Monday but the captain?s meeting is not until today so we don?t start until tomorrow.

?When I saw that, all of us were surprised but we can now make the most of the extra time.?

Bermuda were expecting to take on Costa Rica, Barbados, Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Guatemala and St. Lucia from Monday to Saturday with one rest day, but will now will play straight through from tomorrow until Sunday.

But Bean believes the extra practice time the 11th hour change offers will be of benefit.

?We are looking at this as a positive and a chance to practice more and get used to the conditions,? said Bean, who flew in to Costa Rica last Wednesday with James Collieson to meet rookie Gavin Manders. Jenson Bascome and Jovan Whitter arrived two days later from Philadelphia.

?The ball is moving very fast because the air is so thin and the court is also playing fast ? faster than we are used to.

?The first couple of days the guys were finding it tough and getting winded pretty quickly but now they are already getting used to it.?

Although Bean said this year the players were closer to each other in standard, he still has Collieson and Bascome as his numbers one and two, with the two top players likely to carry much of the burden in the singles and also many of the doubles rubbers.

In challenge matches played on Sunday, Bascome beat Manders and Collieson beat Whitter with the fixtures being reversed in matches expected to have been played yesterday.

?James (Collieson) and Jenson (Bascome) are going to be our numbers one and two but with the players all so close in standard, we will have no problem swapping in the others if players get tired,? he added.

?The guys have all been playing well and I am impressed with their fitness and quality ahead of this week?s games.?

And Bean is particularly delighted with the form of Manders, who has been playing in tournaments in Florida, ahead of his expected Davis Cup debut.

?I am very pleased with Gavin,? added Bean.

?He is looking very impressive. You would expect him to have some jitters but he is like a seasoned pro ? but he is very enthusiastic and I have no doubt he will do us proud.?

The order of play will be announced today with Bean hopeful of drawing OECS, the weakest side in the event, on the first day.