They said Bermuda sportsmen should be drug tested before representing the Island overseas.

And one feared cricket could be losing potential investment because of a tarnished image.

The prospect, however, of sponsors turning off the cash tap seemed remote -- at least for now.

"I don't think we ought to suddenly make things worse by pulling out,'' said Richard Hartley, managing director of Burrows Lightbourn.

Asked whether players should be tested before overseas trips, he said: "Yes, I think it's appropriate.

"It's proven to be necessary, hasn't it? It's a pity it's come to that, and you can't just rely on someone's honour.'' General manager of John Barritt and Sons, Tom Stearns, believed testing before overseas tournaments was "wise''.

"I don't see why we should not do it for any team,'' he said.

The Royal Gazette yesterday contacted sponsors after two former Cup Match players, Cal (Bummy) Symonds and St. Clair Tucker called for Bermuda Cricket Board of Control (BCBC) officials, including president Ed Bailey, to resign.

Cricket Testimonial Committee member and ex-Somerset player Mr. Tucker said Mr. Bailey's continued leadership of the BCBC jeopardised business backing for cricket.

"How can you gain the confidence of the corporate sector and how can you gain co-operation acting like this? He should resign and call it a day.'' BCBC president for 14 years, Mr. Bailey has been off the Island and unavailable for comment. He did not return phone calls from the Royal Gazette 's news section yesterday.

Mr. Bailey has faced resignation calls after news that at least two Bermuda cricketers may have smoked marijuana in their hotel room during a World Cup qualifying tournament in Malaysia -- where the death penalty is mandatory for drug traffickers.

He has been rapped for not ensuring the team was tested and drug searched before or after the tournament, particularly following the 1994 "Miami Seven'' saga when Bermuda soccer players were arrested in America for marijuana possession.

A committee headed by lawyer Michael Mello will now examine the allegations.

One of cricket's key sponsors is BF&M, which annually pumps funds -- reportedly some $20,000 -- into the Champion of Champions competition.

This week Glen Gibbons, who spearheads a BF&M "community involvement'' committee, is expected to meet company president and CEO Glenn Titterton to discuss sponsorship.

Mr. Gibbons stressed the meeting was a "routine one'', not prompted by events in Malaysia.

Mr. Gibbons, however, accepted the Malaysia controversy would be discussed.

"Obviously, we are extremely interested in what is going on. It would be premature, however, for me to say anything further at this point.'' The Royal Gazette understands the BCBC's position with sponsors may have been hurt by concern over gate receipts from the Champion of Champions competition.

According to a BCBC income statement acquired by The Royal Gazette , two matches played at Lord's towards the end of last season only brought in $2,678.85 -- even though a minimum of 1,000 people attended the games on each day, paying an admission total of $5 apiece.

Burrows Lightbourn is an occasional cricket sponsor, once receiving a "sports citation'' for its efforts. Two years ago it helped bring the Australians to Bermuda.

"Often the BCBC gets on to us, asking if we would help bring in top teams. We think it's a pity not to help,'' said Mr. Hartley.

Burrows Lightbourn was "naturally'' concerned about the use of illegal drugs and excessive drinking at sporting occasions.

"A lot of clubs are customers of ours and we have a customer-suppplier relationship with them,'' he said. "This business in Malaysia is very worrying. Thank God nobody was caught with anything.

"Unfortunately a lot of young groups and sporting groups have their problems and we need to get that sorted out.

"Certainly we can't afford as a Country to have this sort of thing happening when our ambassadors go abroad.'' DRUGS DGS