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They plan on being the stars of Bermuda's next World Cup campaign. But for now, the island's first ever national under-13 squad is concentrating on taking on the best in the West Indies.

The youngsters travel to St. Kitts & Nevis on Monday for the nine-game regional invitational cricket competition.

And skipper Joshua Gilbert is confident of success.

"It feels good to be the first under-13 national captain. I think we are going to get some good results and win this tournament," said the all-rounder who took 2 for 4 on his Premier League debut for Somerset against Flatts last weekend.

"We have got some good players - the best in Bermuda. We want to be playing in the World Cup in a few years time."

Gilbert, who has also represented the under-15s, will be one of the stars of the squad along with the likes of Winton Woodley, Jonte Smith, Tre Manders, Okera Bascome and wicket-keeper Christian Burgess.

Coach George Cannonier believes they have a good chance of winning the tournament.

"I think Trinidad will be our biggest competition. We have a very complete team. They can all bat, bowl and field.

"I think they can win if they put their mind to it. I've spoken to them on that subject many times. We are trying to brainwash them into having that type of confidence.

"Most of them have played competitively with their senior club sides so that experience will help them."

Cannonier said the under-13 programme had began almost two years ago as a kind of national academy to help the development of the island's most talented youngsters.

But this would be their first competition as a team.

"We need to develop youngsters at this age more seriously. That's why I came down from the under-15s.

"This is also the age where they have the most enthusiasm.

"There is a lot of talent at this level and I think we would have an even stronger team if some of the others were not away playing football.

"I think we'll be outstanding, actually."

Cannonier said the ten-team round-robin tournament would be in 25-over-a-side format.

"We've been training for that type of game. Hit-and-run, fast-fielding drills - all the modern techniques."

Many of Cannonier's squad have also played for the under-15s and he believes they have the ability to be Bermuda players of the future.

"That's the whole idea - to get them through the system from under-13s right up to the national team."

The young Bermuda plays its first game against the British Virgin Islands on Monday.[[In-content Ad]]

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