With Sri Lanka one of the favourites to win the 2007 World Cup, chairman of Bermuda’s national team selectors Arnold Manders says more pressure will be on them rather than Bermuda to deliver when the two countries lock horns at Queen’s Park Oval today.

And having had the privilege to personally inspect the heavily guarded pitch at the Test Match venue, the former Western Stars and Bermuda skipper reckoned the seam bowlers and not the spinners would stamp their authority on the match.

“I don’t think I’d want to be a spinner out there unless I was Muralitharan.

“But it should be a batsmen’s wicket, and so for us it’s all about consolidating early because I think the new ball will move a little bit for the first six or seven overs. After that it (pitch) should play true because it has a lot of grass on it and appears to be quite hard.”

Manders added: “They guys just need to fight through the process and put their best foot forward. And if they can play to the best of their ability and be mentally tough, that’s all you can really ask for as a selector and also as a Bermudian.

“Nobody is expecting Bermuda to win a game. But if the chance comes along, then hopefully we should be good enough to take the opportunity.” Asked what decision Bermuda should make if they win today’s coin toss, Manders smiled: “I wouldn’t want to win the toss. I’d prefer the other team to win and then have them make a decision.

“But looking at it I think I would rather go in and have a hit first. If we have to bat first then we will have to do so and do a good job at it. But if we have to field first then this will help the players to get over some of the initial hype, nerves and anticipation of having to go on the field first.

“So hopefully it might be best for us to field first and get rid of those butterflies.”

As for the players themselves, Manders said: “The guys seem quite relaxed and are in good spirits. And hopefully they will make Bermuda proud. We are the underdogs and don’t really have anything to lose. And I encourage the players to go out there and put their best foot forward.

“We can’t afford to make any mistakes in the field like dropping catches or giving away too many runs. And the guys must also be tough mentally because there are going to be times when teams are going to be on top of us.”

Manders said he was proud to finally see Bermuda compete at the World Cup, but only wishes he could roll back the years.

“I wish I was 15 years younger,” he said. “But I have been impressed so far by the organisation of the World Cup, in particular this ground (Queen’s Park Oval) which looks to be in immaculate condition.

“We haven’t had any injuries and the guys have looked sharp in training over the past two days, and hopefully now we can put it all together tomorrow (today).”

Manders said the Island’s first involvement in the World Cup was only the first step on a journey to help advance the sport both domestically and internationally.

“I’m pleased for what qualifying for the World Cup has done for cricket in Bermuda. Our success has provided funding to develop our infrastructure so that we can continue to be competitive and qualify for the next World Cup in 2009,” he added.

“The team qualifying for the World Cup in Ireland in 2005 has set a solid foundation for Bermuda cricket. This is just the beginning and the funds that Government and the ICC (International Cricket Council) have given us has allowed us to expand infrastructure in Bermuda and given us the opportunity to send younger players away to cricket and high performance academies which can only bode well for Bermuda cricket in the future.”