There was a look of optimism on the face of Bermuda skipper Clay Smith as he inspected the controversial Sunny Brook ground on the outskirts of Toronto yesterday.

Following an intense net session at the team?s training base at Ross Lord Park, Smith, coach Mark Harper and team manager Winston Reid all took a good look at the pitch, venue for Bermuda?s all-important ICC Intercontinental Cup clash against hosts Canada, beginning today at 11 a.m..

Smith said: ?I was a bit sceptical about the pitch at first glance as it has patches of grass scattered about and a few bald spots. However, I think the ball will seam about a bit and that will certainly assist our bowlers.?

Although rain was forecast for last night, skies were expected to be clear for today?s match with a gentle north-east breeze whipping off Lake Ontario and temperatures anticipated to climb in the upper 60s.

Leading up to today?s clash, which Bermuda need to win convincingly in order to advance to the semi-finals of the first class competition, doubts were raised over the state of the pitch at Sunny Brook with an article appearing on the crickinfo website accompanied by photos showing bare patches at the rural ground.

However, Canadian Cricket Association officials assured that the pitch would be brought up to scratch in time for today?s clash.

Smith added: ?The pitch is definitely going to take a bit of seam and we certainly have the bowlers capable of exploiting the conditions.?

Bermuda, however, will also have to apply themselves in the batting department if they are to advance to the next phase of the competition, something which was addressed during yesterday?s session in the nets.

Meanwhile, all-rounder Wendell White made himself unavailable for today?s match, prompting Bermuda Cricket Board selectors to call on Somerset?s Jacobi Robinson to make the trip north yesterday.

Robinson arrived in Toronto late yesterday afternoon and will be present this morning when the starting eleven will be announced just prior to the match.

Bermuda team officials were reluctant to comment on White?s eleventh hour decision not to travel with the squad.

?White will be a miss, but we also have other players in the team capable of getting the job done in his absence,? said Smith.