National cricket coach Roland Butcher could be on the way out less than a month after finally arriving on the Island.

Bermuda Cricket Board of Control officials are known to be incensed at the former Test player's decision to head back to England for two weeks during what is a critical period in the senior national team's preparation for June's ICC Trophy -- the qualifying tournament for the 2003 World Cup.

Having been appointed last summer, Butcher only joined the squad earlier this month, eventually flying in on March 31 after having repeatedly put back his arrival date.

Various reasons, ranging from personal and business commitments in the UK to his involvement in a court case, were cited for the delays.

However, he left the Island again at the weekend and is expected to be absent for at least another two weeks.

That, according to sources close to the BCBC, might be the last straw.

While BCBC president El James was unavailable for comment yesterday, The Royal Gazette learned that the Board had already sought legal advice as to whether Butcher's contract could be terminated.

James and his executive are known to be furious at Butcher's latest departure, especially since he reportedly didn't even leave a contact telephone number.

At his last training session with the players on the weekend, Butcher informed them he was returning to England to take a course. However, one source said he had then told the BCBC that a court case, at which he was required to give evidence, was the main reason for his sudden departure.

James apparently wasn't made aware of Butcher's decision to fly out until last week, and no mention of the trip had been made since his arrival.

It's understood that the Board are now keen to relieve the former Middlesex county star of his duties and look for an alternative national coach who could step in and help finalise preparations prior to the trip to Toronto, Canada.

At least two top names from the Caribbean have already been contacted and tentatively agreed to help with Bermuda's ICC preparation should the contract with Butcher be terminated.

MCC are due to visit the Island for two weeks next month and Bermuda's first ICC Trophy match is against Denmark on June 28.

Throughout the winter, ex-Somerset and Cup Match player Winston Reid has taken charge of the national squad coaching responsibilities with help from another former top player, Clevie Wade. Trainer Nick Jones, meanwhile, has been concentrating on getting the players match fit.

However, Butcher has maintained all along that his physical presence has not been essential to the team's ICC build-up, claiming that Reid, Wade, Jones and the players were all following a programme that he had devised.

That prompted an angry response last month from Jones, who claimed it was he and not the national coach who was responsible for writing the team's fitness programme.

Reid reported earlier this month that Butcher's arrival had inspired the players and they had all stepped up a gear during training.

However, there have been reports this week that not all of the players have been happy with the new coach, and several apparently reacted with anger on learning of his latest disappearance.

Butcher was appointed last summer following an extensive search by the BCBC.

Advertisements for the post attracted interest from top coaches and former Test players from all around the globe.

A decision to name Butcher, the first black West Indian to play for England at Test level, was made largely because of his experience at teaching at youth level.

First team coach at Westminster public school in London and formerly at St.

Helen's College, it was thought he would be an ideal candidate to implement a solid junior programme on the Island.

Married with two children, Butcher had also previously served as national coach of Grenada, worked with the MCC coaching staff and coached in Australia and New Zealand.

Uncertain future: National cricket coach Roland Butcher (right), seen here during a recent training session with the ICC squad, could soon be replaced, according to sources who say his latest departure from the Island has angered the BCBC executive.

El James: The BCBC president is believed to have already sought legal advice over the possibility of terminating Butcher's contract.