January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.

Cann opts out of Cup Match


By James [email protected] | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

St. George's captain Lionel Cann says he will put Bermuda first and represent his country in the World 20-20 qualifiers rather than play Cup Match.

All-rounder Cann, who led the eastsiders to victory in '06 and retained the cup with a draw last season, is still hopeful he can play in both events.

But with Cup Match scheduled for July 31 and August 1 this year and Bermuda's first game in the 20-20 set for August 2, he admits it is probably not going to happen,

"It's ticklish for the players but when it comes to the crunch I'll have to go with Bermuda," he said.

It is a dilemma that all Bermuda's top players are going to have to face.

But Cann believes when it comes to club versus country, there can only be one winner.

"If there is no way to do both then I will definitely play for my country first. That is a big step to take for me because I am captain of St George's but Bermuda should come first.

"Cup Match will be around forever, whether I play or not."

Cann insisted there was still a lot of time between now and July and that anything could happen.

"I still hope the dates for the tournament in Ireland will change - stranger things have happened.

"But, at the moment, if I'm still part of the national programme in the summer, I won't be playing Cup Match."

He said he hoped all the players would see it the same way.

" I hope that they feel the national programme comes first. Country should come first in all cases."

Cann also waded into the soccer club versus country debate ignited by PHC coaches who asked their players to train with their club side instead of the national squad this week.

"Country should always come first. Always.

"If we are going to go forward as a country we need to start thinking bigger than our domestic competitions.

"Friendship Trophy games shouldn't even come into the equation when there is a World Cup match around the corner."[[In-content Ad]]

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