Saturday, November 4, 2006

NAIROBI, Kenya (AFP): Bermuda's West Indian coach Gus Logie said Friday he was hoping the upcoming tour of Kenya and South Africa will help prepare his side for their first-ever World Cup next year.

The Islanders arrived in Nairobi on Thursday ahead of their four-day Intercontinental Cup Group B match against Kenya starting on Sunday at the Nairobi Gymkhana.

They will also play three one-day internationals against the hosts in Mombasa before travelling to South Africa for their final group game against Holland.

"It is exciting to be in the World Cup," said Logie whose team have just settled a pay dispute which threatened to derail their build-up to the 2007 Caribbean showpiece.

"For the players it means getting out of the comfort zone, a major sacrifice but also more funding for cricket."

The Bermuda team is composed of semi-professionals with the most experienced player being David Hemp.

The 35-year-old left-handed batsman, who plays for English county side Glamorgan, was invited to join the team only this month to strengthen the batting.

Bermuda's pay dispute was settled after seven hours of talks with the players agreeing to end a month-long impasse which centred on bonuses as well as compensation for lost earnings while they are taking part in the March, April tournament.

Although officials refused to divulge details, the Royal Gazette newspaper reported that as well as having their work salaries covered, those players selected in the World Cup squad will make at least 20,000 dollars in match fees and bonuses.

"Getting the contracts sorted out was a big relief to me, the players and everybody else concerned," said Logie, the former West Indies Test batsman.

"The negotiations went on for much longer than I would have liked. I don't know the extent of their remuneration, but whatever it is they will be expected to perform and to prepare themselves for the challenges ahead in a thoroughly professional manner.

"They will be scrutinised even more, particularly in terms of their fitness levels and I trust they understand what the stakes now are and that they are going to be properly prepared for what lies ahead."

Bermuda have been drawn in Group B at the World Cup, which opens on March 10, along with India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

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