It seems very unlikely Bermuda will host any games in the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

Indications are that, in order to avoid potential logistical headaches, each group in the preliminary and second-round stages will have all their matches in one territory.

Against the backdrop that 90 percent of the games are to be held in the Caribbean and that the proposed 16-team tournament is expected to start with four groups of four - with a second round (Super Eights) of two groups of four - president of the Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) Reggie Pearman has acknowledged the Island's chances of being a host are slim.

"What was said there - and they were emphatic about it - was that the semi-finals and the final will be played in the Caribbean and 90 percent of the games will be played within the region also.

"That only leaves ten percent for countries like the USA, Bermuda and possibly the Caymans. How they are going to work out that ten percent we have to wait and see," said Pearman, just back from Venue Summit 1 in St. Lucia where several parameters for the cricketing showpiece were outlined to prospective host countries.

"They (the teams) are going to be split into four groups so you're looking at two stadiums in each country that's chosen. They don't want the teams moving around."

At last weekend's forum, managing director of the 2007 Cricket World Cup, Chris Dehring, confirmed the intention to reduce team travel.

"There will be no flying about within groups. The teams are not going to accept it. The Global Cricket Corporation are very unlikely to accept it because they have to be flying all this television equipment back and forth at their cost.

"There are going to be serious logistical problems in terms of moving teams about within a group. The timeframe of the tournament won't allow it because the minute a team flies, you have to put in two rest days," explained Dehring.

Despite the overwhelming odds, Pearman remains optimistic there is still a role for Bermuda in the sport's greatest spectacle.

"There may be the possibility of hosting some teams prior to the World Cup. Then you wouldn't have to adhere to the full requirements that the Cricket World Cup Committee are going to ask for.

"Because you're talking about security, transportation, stadiums of a certain capacity," he noted.

However, he stressed Bermuda would not rule itself out of the running for hosting matches until the entire bidding process is completed.

"They assured all nations that all options are open. There's a possibility we may get a couple games depending on what they (World Cup officials) see when they come here on their assessment trip.

"We have to sit down and talk to Government and look at this seriously, the feasability of it. In terms of infrastructure, I think we have a slight edge on quite a few of the (Caribbean) islands. I think it's going to be a tall order for the Caribbean."

Pearman said the BCB now awaits the World Cup bid book - an official document detailing the specifics of what each host country must have in place - which is due out in late November.

The St. Lucia meeting, however, has already offered an insight into the organising of such a high-level venture with guest presenters from Germany, South Africa, the UK and other countries speaking on issues such as portable infrastructure (seating and electronic scoreboards and video boards), security and mass travel.