The Bermuda Cricket Board of Control president and members of his executive are expected to be ousted during a special general meeting of the club affiliates at Warwick Workman's Club tonight.

In an unprecedented move by club affiliates, Bailey -- in charge of local cricket for the past 14 years -- will apparently be told to resign or face a vote of no confidence. That vote is almost certain to go against him based on clubs' anger over the sport's downward spiral in recent years.

The meeting is expected to be supported by a full house, including many former board executives and former players who have been approached by those behind the move to rejuvenate and redirect the sport.

Among those favoured to replace Bailey are Somerset Cricket Club president Reginald Pearman, who is a former vice president of the Board, former Shell official El James and St. Clair Tucker, a current member of the Testimonial committee.

Affiliates behind the move, who up to yesterday wished to remain unnamed, were unwilling to disclose who was tipped for the presidency. A spokesman would only say that a change was necessary to save the sport in the Island.

"Something has to be done. At this stage nobody can do any worse than those presently holding down positions,'' the spokesman said. "The club officials are behind this move, not any rebel group, and the meeting will be done in a responsible and organised manner.'' Former Somerset CC and Bermuda international fast bowler Randy Horton is one ex-player who has attended some of the meetings called by affiliates, and while insisting that he was not among those spearheading the move, he expressed the hope that everybody with an interest Bermuda cricket should attend.

"It's a very critical meeting, one that will certainly help to determine the direction and future of the sport in Bermuda,'' said Horton. "If there is concern in the Island, as we believe there is, then steps must be taken to correct any fault. Heads cannot be buried in the sand.

"The clubs have taken steps by coming this far to investigate the matter, now it would be good to see all of the clubs make a strong effort to send maximum representatives to this meeting.'' Criticism of the board has been ongoing, with many ex-players and officials outspoken since Bermuda's early elimination from the ICC Trophy Tournament in Malaysia in April.

Clarence Tucker, a former BCBC vice-president who was team manager of the 1994 ICC squad which came fourth in Kenya, was among the first to call on Bailey to resign because of Bermuda's poor run in the competition under the present leadership.

Others such St. Clair Tucker and Cal (Bummy) Symonds have also recommended that a change of leadership should be made in order to save the sport. Their reasons varied from the board's many administrative problems to Bailey's alleged dictatorial leadership.

Calls for Bailey's resignation may have been further influenced by the president's failure to live up to his pledge to have all of the ICC squad members drug tested before leaving the Island for the ICC tournament in Malaysia.

The Board's failure to adhere to many of the recommendations in the restructuring report produced by a committee chaired by cricket commentator and Works and Engineering Minister CV (Jim) Woolridge also upset clubs.

Horton, another radio commentator, and several other ex-players expressed concern over the decline of the sport and have strongly criticised the board for not implementing a youth league.

In his only recent public comments about a call for a leadership change, Bailey defended his record by pointing to the many avenues he has opened for Bermuda abroad.

Bailey has been summoned to appear at tonight's meeting but it was unclear last night whether he would attend. He did not return phone calls from The Royal Gazette yesterday.