January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Cann may quit national cricket squad
The big-hitting batsman, who starred in the ICC America's Tournament in November, is furious that the Bermuda Cricket Board is refusing to compensate him for overtime or for his second job.
Cann, who works as a caretaker at Saltus Grammar and does construction work on the side, had the same dispute with the board in the run up to World Cup 2007.
The batsman and Bermuda Sun columnist feels aggrieved that he is having to make financial sacrifices to play for his country.
"Four years on and nothing has changed. Some players have lost thousands of dollars to play for their country and they are still losing money.
"My contract starts on Monday but I have to seriously think about whether I can afford to sign it. A lot of the older guys work two jobs or rely on over-time to get by.
"I still want to represent my people and help Bermuda qualify for the World Cup. I may just have to swallow this and lose out financially to play for Bermuda, but I am not happy about the way it has been handled. Every player should know he's taken care of and all he has to worry about is cricket."
Cann said the Bermuda cricket squad had taken a lot of slams over their commitment to training but should be fully compensated if they were going to be scrutinized like pros.
And he insisted that players should be paid based on the work they do as cricketers, not on their day jobs.
"It's a bit unfair that someone who has one well paid job gets more than someone who has to work two jobs to get by, regardless of how they perform on the field."
He said it was harder for players with families to be away from work and from home to play for their country.
"It's alright to say you're getting paid to do what you love. It's one thing for a 17-year-old with no commitments to get a bit of money to play cricket but it is different for a man that has got a family and bills to pay. It isn't just that it is a financial struggle, it's the principle. We had this dispute last time and nothing has changed. I feel totally let down."[[In-content Ad]]
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