Kenyans roll out the red carpet
action after two nights of flying to reach the site of the 1994 ICC Trophy tournament.
The second team to arrive at tournament headquarters Panafric Hotel in downtown Nairobi, behind fancied Bangladesh, Bermuda are due to play five practice matches in the next two weeks.
The schedule begins tomorrow with a fixture against young Kenya at Nairobi Club and will also see further matches against Uganda (February 5), young Kenya twice more (February 7 and 9) and tournament rivals Ireland (February 10), who are making their first run at the ICC Trophy and are in Group A, with two-time runners-up and favourites Holland.
Though there are three matches against young Kenya, officials have said that the opposition -- comprised of a mixture of club teams -- should change in every match.
The quality of youngsters is something to note as they defeated Bangladesh by four wickets on Sunday after being asked to score 144 runs.
It was Bangladesh's second practice match since arriving last week. They had earlier beaten Uganda by 144 runs.
The extent of Bermuda's work yesterday was a light session in the evening. A full net session is scheduled for today.
Tour manager Clarence Tucker said yesterday that he was "very happy'' with the way things have gone so far.
Bermuda were whisked through customs at the Jomo Kenyatta Airport despite reports that they were due to face difficulty because of a lack of visas. That was never a problem, however, as an ICC co-ordinator helped to get the team through the busy airport with a minimum of fuss.
The `royal' treatment continued throughout arrival at the hotel.
"We have been very well received,'' said Tucker, "not only in London, but most of all in Kenya.
"The players seem to be in high spirits. They are a little tired, but that can be expected after the long journey. Other than that the boys appear to be very positive and ready to go for the gold.'' The tournament starts on February 12, with all the matches within a half-hour's drive of the hotel.
Bermuda are in Group D and will first tackle West Africa on February 13, followed by Hong Kong (February 15), Fiji (February 19) and Denmark (February 21).
The top two teams from each of the four groups will advance to the quarter-finals, a round-robin series of three matches.
The top two then will reach the semifinals, with the finalists and third-place match winners booking their place among cricket's elite in the 1996 World Cup in Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka. PHOTO READY FOR BATTLE -- Bermuda's ICC cricket squad seen prior to their departure on Saturday. Front row, from left, Bruce Perinchief, Allen Richardson, Jeff Richardson, Dean Minors, Clevie Wade (vice-captain), Clay Smith, Albert Steede (captain), Arnold Manders, Nick Jones (trainer), George Francis (umpire). Back row, from left, Anthony Edwards, Del Hollis, Terry Burgess, Kenny Phillips, Quinton Burch, McDonald Swan (assistant manager), Dexter Smith, Noel Gibbons, Charlie Marshall, Clarence Tucker (manager).