The start of a drug trial of popular cricketer Dean Minors stalled yesterday after his lead lawyer did not appear for the beginning of proceedings.

Assistant Justice Archibald Warner adjourned the matter until Thursday morning to give British lawyer John Perry QC time to arrive and to prepare for the trial.

Minors, 32, of Wellington Slip Road, St. George's was charged with importation and possession with intent to supply cannabis, after coming through the Bermuda International Airport on January 1, 2001, from Orlando, Florida.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which each carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment on conviction.

Minors, a popular figure in the local sporting arena, was the coach and vice-captain of the St. George's Cricket Club during Cup Match and taught physical education at CedarBridge Academy.

Since his indictment, the cricket star petitioned last month for Mr. Perry to be lead counsel in his trial, taking over the reins from Venous Telford.

Ms Telford told Mr. Justice Warner that Mr. Perry was delayed because a case he was involved in the UK was running longer than anticipated.

"Mr. Perry will be flying into Bermuda tonight with all intentions to begin the trial tomorrow morning," she said. "Trott and Duncan was not aware before the 18th. He only let us know as soon as it became clear to him."

But a visibly disturbed Mr. Justice Warner said he was anticipating starting yesterday, noting that the jury was ready to be empaneled.

And he warned the defence against any further delay.

"All I'm saying is that you should have been aware before the 18th that Mr. Perry would not be available," he said. "But here we are. Members of the jury, we are not in a position to start this morning, so I will ask you to come back on Thursday morning."

Crown counsel Vinette Graham-Allen, did not object to the delay, saying it was better than having any Constitutional issues of an unfair trial be raised.

Mr. Perry has appeared several times in Bermuda's Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.

His most recent appearance was in 2000, on behalf of murder accused Justis Smith, when he appealed Smith's case to the Privy Council.

Mr. Perry also represented Teiko Furbert, who was jailed for life in 1998 for shooting James Cyrus Caines.

The trial is set to resume tomorrow morning for pre-trial arguments and set to officially start Thursday morning before the jury.