participate in tough pre-tournament matches against MCC next year before heading north for the even more rigorous ICC Trophy.

While Bermuda have come close to qualifying for the World Cup in the past, the 2001 ICC event in Toronto next June represents probably the country's best ever chance of advancing.

It has been argued often in the past that Bermuda have entered big competitions without the necessary match practice -- but confirmation of the MCC visit in May, says Reid, should ensure that that won't be the case this time around.

"The timing of the MCC visit is good for the national squad as it enables us to get into top match-playing shape a short time prior to the tournament in Canada which is a rare opportunity for our players,'' said Reid.

MCC will play seven matches during their stay and Reid would have liked every one of them to have been against the national squad, although that won't be the case.

"While it's a nice thought to have the squad play all of the matches, you really can't do anything like that because you would be denying so many other players the chance of getting that vital experience against better teams and then again you have to think of the clubs,'' said Reid.

"You have to look ahead and perhaps the following year you will have to bring in new players. Promoting them without experience doesn't really benefit anybody. And then again you have the under-19 national squad who should get a game against MCC. They play in a tournament in August and will need that experience also before going into international play.

"But looking ahead to our first international in the new year which will be the senior squad in the ICC, I wouldn't mind seeing them play three to four games against MCC. If other games are scheduled against teams like Western Stars, Southampton, Bailey's Bay etc. then we will always have two to three of the squad players involved anyway.

"Naturally we are delighted to have the chance to play any serious tournament matches. This year we had no such games prior to the Red Stripe competition in the Caribbean. The only good thing about it was that we had just come off a full season and the players were still in good shape.

"But this time around it will be better because the MCC tour comes just prior to our trip to Toronto.'' Both Reid and El James, president of the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control, are confident that Bermuda can build on their historic first ever victory in the Red Stripe this year which came against the Cayman Islands.