* Ras Mykkal photo.
Charlie Marshall will be one of the big name hitters taking part in Lionel Mello Six-a-side tournament next weekend at St. David’s.
Forget 20-20. Five-Five is the new all action format that is set to launch the Bermuda cricket season.
St. David's captain Lionel Cann has organized an all action six-a-side tournament to be held at Lord's next weekend in honour of his late grandfather Lionel Mello.
And in typical Cann fashion it will be big-hitting all the way, with some of the top bats in Bermuda competing in the five-over-a-side tournament.
"It's going to be action all the way. Big-hitting from ball one," said Cann.
"It would not surprise me if we see someone hit six sixes in an over. If it's ever going to happen in Bermuda this would be the format.
"We've got a lot of the big hitters playing, so it would not surprise me at all. I know I'll be going for it, right from ball one. There's no other way to play in this format."
The six-a-side tournament is modelled on the famous Hong Kong sixes and will feature eight teams - St. David's, St. George's, Flatt's, Bailey's Bay, Cleveland, PHC, Devonshire Rec and Social Club.
There will be two groups of four competing in a round robin format, semi-finals and a final all played in a single day - April 19.
"This is the ultimate in entertainment," said Cann who hopes to make the tournament an annual event, with every team in Bermuda ultimately involved.
But he said it was starting off on a small scale, with a handful of sponsors including Barritts and Esso Tigermart.
"I want to build it up gradually. You couldn't have a better facility than the home of cricket at St. David's and it's going to be a real entertaining day.
"It's non-stop cricket from 9am until 6pm at night."
Cann, who recently announced a leave of absence from the national team because of personal commitments, said proceeds from the $5 entry tournament would be split between a local charity and a new fund set up in memory of his grandfather to support the needy in the St. David's community.
"He was one of the founders of St. David's cricket club and a really important person in my life. He was the one who took me to my first cricket and football games.
"Everything I've done in cricket is because of him and I wanted to honour him with this tournament," added Cann, who was born on the same day (October 3) as his grandfather and named after him."
