cricket tour in eight years.

The departure date of August 1 can't come too quickly for the squad of 15, whom the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control will take to Toronto for a series of five games.

The players have already been drug-tested and are continuing their pre-tour training, said BCBC president El James this week.

"We at the Board are just as excited about the tour as the youngsters are,'' said James. "It should be a great trip for them. They have been made aware that it's not just about cricket, but it's about them getting exposure to another culture and helping them in their overall development to become decent young men.'' Wayne Smith and Steven Bremar will travel as coaches. And Smith, who is familiar with the Toronto area, warns that competition will be stiff.

"Toronto is a great city, and a good place to play cricket,'' said Smith, who took a senior team from Cleveland County to play there last year.

"The matches are going to be competitive. The Canadian youngsters play at a very high level as was evidenced by the performance of their youth team in the Youth Tournament that was held in Bermuda last summer.'' But Smith said Bermuda's team is a strong one and the tour will only help the players' development.

"What the Board is doing is timely and very appropriate for the development of youth cricket right now and it's going to be a great opportunity for us to play a hand in developing cricket stars of the future,'' he said.

"Our players have been made aware of the high level of competition they will face. But we have a very strong team, especially in the batting with players like Chris Foggo and Shannon Raynor. I think it's going to be a great opportunity to give our players experience and exposure at a young age.'' Squad: Nasir Wade, Kamen Tucker, Andrew Raynor, Dion Stovell, Shannon DeShields, Phillip Thomas, Shawn Dunkley, Barry Gibbons, Steven Outerbridge, Jim West, Shannon Raynor, Chris Foggo, Landro Minors, Mackie Crane, Detroy Smith. Coaches: Wayne Smith, Steven Bremar. Manager: Randy Horton.