Cann: I'm not ready to hang up my bat

FRIDAY, JULY 22: Master blaster Lionel Cann won’t be retiring from international cricket anytime soon.

The Bermuda stalwart, who has kept the scorers busy at this week’s regional World Twenty20 qualifier in Florida, has pledged his allegiance to the national cause for at least another two years.

He said: “I’m still enjoying my cricket and getting better so as long I am enjoying it I will commit myself till 2013 and then reassess after that.

 “I want to help us get back to division two (World Cricket League Division Two) during that period and then after that I will look to see where I’m at.”

Cann has been in sparkling form with the bat in Florida this week, thumping attractive half-centuries against Argentina (55 not out) and Suriname (63), facing the new ball at the top of the order on good batting tracks.

“The pitches here are pretty nice, the ball is coming onto the bat. There’s a little bit of bounce for the first three or four overs, but then it settles down and you can play through the line.”

Although more known for his heavy hitting, Cann has also executed good running between the stumps to keep rotating the strike.

“You don’t get your value for runs on the ground; it’s a big field and the grass is very soft. You have to run a lot of ones and twos and so you have to be pretty fit.

“That’s the way you have to build your innings and then of course the odd ball can be hit for six. This is where I think I am capitalizing at the moment because a lot of players can’t hit the ball outside.

“I have always been someone who has taken on the bowler and with less players being outside you can pick your areas and hit the ball in those areas.”

Bermuda slipped further down world cricket’s pecking order after being relegated to the World Cricket League Division Three in Dubai earlier this year.

Potential

But with the current crop of players coach David Moore has at his disposal, Cann sees no reason why the island cannot regain its place among the top ICC Associates. “If the guys continue to work hard and gain the knowledge the coach has, the sky is the limit for them.

“There’s so much potential and opportunity available and if you are willing to learn this is the best time to be playing international cricket.

“It’s all up to the individual because the programme is set and in place and it is a good programme.

“If the guys can stay focused we can get back to where we need to be. But if you are not focused and respecting the game cricket has a habit of kicking you in your tail.

“It’s all good and dandy at the moment, but it can change just like that if you don’t stay focused.”