Bermuda's campaign to be considered as a venue for the Cricket World Cup 2007 is alive and well.

In fact, Venue Development Director Don Lockerbie may be here soon to assess the Island's venue potential at the invitation of Bermuda's Bid Committee.

This news comes amid rumours that the Island had been eliminated from contention as a venue for cricket's biggest showpiece, to be hosted by the West Indies in three years' time.

"Nothing has come to me. No, I don't know about that. We're trying to negotiate to get Don Lockerbie here in the next week or so," said Bermuda Cricket Board president Reggie Pearman yesterday, reacting to the query about Bermuda being off the list of prospective World Cup locations.

Speaking from Jamaica, Lockerbie confirmed the likelihood of his trip to the Island, saying: "Yes, I have that invitation and I'm in contact with the Bid Committee."

However, he added the date for his visit was yet to be finalised.

He scoffed at the rumour that Bermuda had been ruled out as a venue option, stressing this was definitely not so.

"No, not at all. The fact of the matter is we're not in the business of ruling anybody out at this time. There are several pieces to the puzzle.

"The countries will receive our official Bid Book ? our package for bidding ? on February 19. The first step will be for the countries to rule themselves in or out and they have until March 10th to review the Bid Book and confirm to us, through a written letter of intent, that they are planning to bid officially or that they would like to withdraw."

Thereafter, bids must be submitted by May 6.

"Once we receive the bids then we find ourselves in a period of evaluation assessment and this will take until July 12 when we announce who our final bids will be," explained Lockerbie who has already visited ten of the 13 territories vying to host World Cup matches.

Managing Director of the Cricket World Cup 2007, Chris Dehring, has given the assurance that there will be an "independent, professional and unbiased assessment of all interested venues".

Given the utmost seriousness required by any country desirous of being a World Cup host, he explained such a venture necessitated a "national commitment" from the government of that country as its "general support infrastructure becomes as important as actual cricket stadiums" and must therefore also be assessed.

To this extent, the Bid Books will be presented to the heads of government in each of the 13 countries aiming to host World Cup matches.

Once the May 6 deadline for bids passes, a Venue Assessment Team ? made up of experts with previous world games experience ? will tour and inspect each prospective host and perform a technical assessment.

"Their report and recommendation will then be used by the Board of the Cricket World Cup 2007 to allocate matches purely on merit," said Dehring.