Unlike his team-mates, veteran opening bat Albert Steede doesn?t dream of a place at cricket?s World Cup in the West Indies in two years? time.

No matter what transpires in Ireland over the next couple of weeks, the Western Stars stalwart insists he won?t be there. This, no question, he says, is the last hurrah.

After some 20 years on the international stage, Steede vowed to retire last summer, but was enticed back, not least by the urging of his wife. But the Saltus schoolteacher is prepared to give the international game one last shot, and no more.

?Definitely, most definitely, this is my last tour with a Bermuda team,? he said.

?Because if we qualify for the World Cup that will be another two-year commitment and it?s a commitment I?m just not prepared to make.?

That doesn?t mean, however, that he?ll be giving anything less than 100 percent as he looks to bow out on a high.

?I?ll be very satisfied if we qualify (for the World Cup),? he added.

?But I don?t think I have anything to prove. I just have to play for the team. If I can be successful, I?m sure the team will be successful as well.

?If I have any personal goals, then it?s to try and bat for the first 17 overs and then take it from there.

?We?ve got a very good batting line-up and if I can help give the team a good start I think we will be successful.?

An unfortunate lbw decision stopped Steede dead in his tracks against Lloyd?s of London as he was dismissed for just four, having stepped down the pitch and watched the ball hit him high on the pads.

But while he shook his head in disbelief as he slowly walked back to the pavilion, the normally unflappable opener was the first to admit that such decisions are all part and parcel of the game.

And he remains convinced that this particular side is as good as any in which he?s played, pointing to new coach Gus Logie as the main reason for the improvement.

?Gus has given us a different dimension,? said Steede.

?His attitude is different from previous coaches, he?s very strategic, very meticulous. He knows what he wants and he knows how to get the best out of the team.

?He has a very good group of players this year and they?re all willing to learn. That?s a major factor.

?He brings a lot to the table and he exudes confidence as well. When he speaks, we all feel very confident about ourselves and about our games, and I just like his approach.?

As for his fellow players, Steede says he?s enjoying playing with the current crop more than perhaps any he?s played alongside in the past.

?I think this is the best team unit, definitely, that I?ve personally experienced,? he added.

?We?re all pulling for one another which is what you need for a gruelling tour like this.

?Half the team have played in at least one ICC Trophy and half haven?t. There?s a good blend of youth and experience and a good variety of left and right handers . . . it?s a good all-round team.

?There?s a lot of confidence in this team. Everybody feels confident in one another, we each support each other, no matter how bad or good things are going.

?And I can say quite honestly, that?s the first time I?ve seen that (in a Bermuda team) for quite a number of years. It?s all very encouraging.?