Bermuda captain Lemar Richardson is excited about the opportunity to upset the odds as Bermuda prepare for the start of the men’s team event in the International Bowling Federation World Cup in Hong Kong.

Richardson will lead Dayvon Tucker, David Maycock and LeVinc Samuels into battle with Bermuda one of 26 countries competing across two groups, with matches held over the next two days.

Despite being the smallest country among the major powerhouses of the sport, all of whom boasting vastly superior budgets and infrastructures, Richardson is relishing underdog status as Bermuda attempt to cause a shock.

“We [Bermudians] always love the chance to be able to upset the odds when it comes to big tournaments,” he said. “We always know we are going to be looked at as underdogs.

“I wouldn’t say that the competition don’t expect us to do well. A lot of these teams know who we are and that we have a strong team. We feel that respect and that’s all you can really ask for.

“We might be friends off the lanes but we want to beat everyone on them and they know that. All of our competition will have to raise their level, just as we do. That’s what we always strive to do because we want to go out and perform our best.”

For some the competition also represents an opportunity for those players who failed to meet expectations in the singles event to make amends.

That is the prospect for Maycock, Tucker and Richardson, all of whom failed to qualify out of their respective groups in the singles tournament, with the captain also keen to build on the momentum of team-mate Samuels’s impressive run to the round of 16.

“The team format is definitely a little different. You are not just focusing on your own game, it’s about all of us,” Richardson said.

“Even if things are not going well personally you have to keep your levels up because the guys are relying on you to pull your weight.

“We have all had the chance to see how the lanes play during the singles competition and so I think we should all be feeling good.

“It can be key to be able to feed off someone who is playing well in the team format, you’d be surprised how much of an impact that can have in raising your own game.

“LeVinc had an exceptional performance in the singles tournament and we all could not be prouder of him.

“The level of quality is so high out here, but he in particular showed that we are more than capable of competing at this level, which we know we can.

“If we stick together I have no doubt we can have a great performance in the team tournament.”

That optimism was also echoed by team manager Steven Riley, who believes the team’s strong bond could play a key role.

“I don’t like to make predictions or set expectations, but I’m quietly optimistic that the team can perform well in this event and I think they’re ready,” Riley said.

“With the format being that players bowl a frame each throughout matches, you’re not focusing on four individual games, you're playing as a collective.

“That could play into our favour as a team because these guys have bowled their whole careers together and so that is an advantage.

“I think with everything that has transpired during the singles event and with everyone getting the chance to look at lane conditions, I think we have a good idea of what we need to do.”