Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) president Reggie Pearman has thrown his weight behind the Island's national women's squad who will bid to qualify for the 2009 World Cup in Lahore, Pakistan next month.

Satisfied by the squad's progress so far, Pearman said: "I know that the team has been working hard to ready themselves for this tournament which will provide stiff competition from some experienced and talented teams. And I urge all of Bermuda to support our women at the qualifiers.

"Although this is an inexperienced team and in the early stages of development, we are extremely pleased with the progress of the women's squad over the past year."

Pearman said through the support of the Government and sponsors BF&M, the Islanders have undergone a "comprehensive training programme" in their bid to equal to the achievements of the senior and Under-19 national teams who both qualified for the World Cup.

After progressing to the second round of cup qualifiers in Canada in 2006, the squad, coached by former senior national coach Allan Douglas, have participated in various domestic leagues, toured Trinidad and this past summer finished runners-up at the Americas Championship in Toronto.

The Island team have been pitted in Group A alongside tournament favourites South Africa, Papua New Guinea and the Netherlands. And while in Pakistan they will play three games in four days, starting with what could be a stern test against the South Africans at Bagh-e-Jinnah on November 19 before taking on the Netherlands (November 20) and Papua New Guinea (November 22) in the hopes of advancing to the semis.

Only the top two teams in the tournament will qualify for the 2009 World Cup in Australia.

Bermuda depart for Pakistan on November 10.

Squad: Linda Mienzer (captain), Wendy Woodley, Reuna Richardson, Rhoda Jones, Stacey Jodi Simmons, Brittney Marshall, Maryellen Jackson, Rickelle Smith, Sinshea Paynter, Terry-Lynn Paynter, Suzette Albouy, Arkeita Smith, Stacy Babb, Chevonne Furbert. Reserves: Carol Edness, Charlene Thompson, Nicole Jones.