Just two weeks after writing a letter of apology for his past behavior to the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control, top cricketer Charlie Marshall has been handed the captaincy of the Bermuda Red Stripe team.

In a surprise announcement yesterday, Board president El James revealed that Marshall, who was left out of the original squad but added after writing the letter, would be in charge of the team.

"I think we have chosen the most senior player, the most capable player for the captaincy.

What people have to remember is that he didn't come off suspension, he wrote a letter expressing his desire to be included,'' said James.

"He was admitted back into squad without any strings attached and therefore he was eligible for all of the benefits like anybody else and I know he will do a good job.'' Marshall reportedly accepted the post after it was originally turned down by Janeiro Tucker.

Marshall had been overlooked for national duty for more than 18 months -- since he had verbal exchanges with national coach Allan Douglas and consultant Bobby Simpson during the ICC Trophy in Malaysia.

Douglas yesterday refused to comment on the appointment, referring all questions to the president.

But the coach did comment on the squad for the first time, claiming that he expected good things from the many senior players who were chosen.

He also responded bullishly to Ian Bishop's claim that Trinidad and Tobago intended to make Bermuda "roll over'' as quickly as possible when the teams meet in the opening fixture of the competition. Douglas stressed that Bermuda did not feel threatened by the West Indies A team skipper's comments.

Douglas felt the make-up of the squad made it likely that the Island would perform better than of late in the competition.

"My assistant Winston Reid and I were putting together various line-ups this week and we are quietly confident that we will improve on our performances during our last two appearances in the tournament,'' said Douglas.

"What we have done is look at our results, analyse them closely and targeted the areas in which we are going to concentrate on improving. If we can improve by just five percent -- if each person can do that, if the total team's effort improves that much -- then we are going to be much better this time around.'' He said Bishop's remarks, made when he appeared in last weekend's testimonial match, should be seen simply as an attempt to gain a psychological upper hand.

"They were trying to do the same thing last time, it's nothing new. That's the professional approach and I expect them to enter the tournament with that trend of thought,'' said Douglas.

Among the experienced players named in the squad are Keith Wainwright, Dexter Smith, Charles Swan, Marshall, Peter Philpott and Dennis Archer, all of whom have had decent seasons.

"Since there are more senior people involved who have played cricket a longer time, who obviously have a higher mature level, I think that's a real bonus for us,'' said Douglas.

"We have to look at this as being a talent factor. Because once you have senior players, you can do marvellous and wonderful things.

"We are looking at it as being one of the key positives about the current squad: the maturity level combined with the outstanding overall character and experience of the players chosen gives the squad a good make-up and we believe we will do all right.''