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Big-hitter Glenn Blakeney hopes to shrug off a back strain in time to make his return for Bailey's Bay as Bermuda's new 20-20 league gets under way this weekend.

Crowd favourite Blakeney, who played for Social Club last season, has returned to the Sea Breeze Oval where he hopes to help inspire Bay to victory in the new competition.

Though they are languishing in the First Division in 50-over cricket, the 20-20 is an open competition for all 16 of Bermuda's elite clubs. And Blakeney believes that the addition of himself, Rodney Trott and emerging youngster Dennico Hollis will help them compete evenly with the big boys. "We have a mix of good raw talent and the experience to help them through. I believe anyone can win this tournament.

"20-20 is very explosive. I like to hit the ball so it's ideal for me. I definitely want to play Sunday, but I'll have to see what the doctor says."

BCB vice-president Allen Richardson has said the Bermuda team for the 20-20 World Cup qualifier in Ireland in August will be selected largely on the basis of the local tournament, which starts this weekend.

But Blakeney is not committing himself on the issue of his international future.

"I'm just going to take it one game at a time and see how it goes. I'll leave that open."

Weekend Fixtures

Games start at 11am and 3pm

East Zone

*All Games at Lord's, St David's,

Saturday: Bailey's Bay v St David's, Cleveland v St George's

Sunday: St David's v Cleveland, Bailey's Bay v St George's

East Central Zone

*All Games at NSC

Saturday: Flatts v Devonshire Rec, Police v Social Club

Sunday: Social Club v Devonshire Rec, Flatts v Police

West CenTral Zone

*All Games at Southampton Rangers

Saturday: Warwick v Leg Trappers, Western Stars v PHC

Sunday: Warwick v PHC, Leg Trappers v Western Stars

West Zone

*All Games at SCC

Saturday: Somerset CC v Somerset Bridge, Southampton Rangers v Willow Cuts

Sunday

Willow Cuts v Somerset CC, Somerset Bridge v Southampton Rangers[[In-content Ad]]

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