Bascome ready for duty

Missing Cup Match is tough to take at the best of times.

But when you’re stuck in another continent, recovering from a burst appendix, life for a Bermudian cricketer doesn’t get much worse.

That was the situation for St George’s Oronde Bascome, who would have been leading his team out against Somerset last year had it not been for a dramatic and serious decline in health.

Lionel Cann stepped in to take charge of the east-enders but could not prevent a 10-wicket defeat to their bitter rivals in Bermuda’s annual sporting showpiece.

Bascome has been widely tipped to return as skipper this year — although an official decision has yet to be announced by the selectors — and he impressed with 93 not out in the club’s first Cup Match trial game.

Whether he leads the side or not, Bascome, 25, says he couldn’t face not being involved again.

“I was out in England watching it on the Internet and I couldn’t even watch the whole game because I was feeling like I was missing out on everything, the game and the whole atmosphere,” he told the Bermuda Sun.

“It was very challenging but I guess everything happens for a reason. The club has really been buzzing since then about getting the cup back. It’s the first time we’re having five trial games since I’ve been playing Cup Match.”

Understandably, a burst appendix was a real shock to the system for the man who led St George’s to victory over Somerset in 2011.

He said: “Everything was perfect health wise and with my fitness – everything was going well and I was looking forward to coming back for Cup Match.”

He added: “I haven’t really played a lot of cricket for a while coming into this season. My health and fitness is fine now – I feel all great – much better than I was nine months ago, that’s for sure.”

While he awaits the club’s decision as to who will captain the side on August 1, he’s now concentrating on turning the starts he’s getting in league matches into big scores.

He said: “Obviously, I’d always love to captain St George’s. 

“We’re doing well in the league this year, we’re working hard and there’s been a good turnout in training. 

“I really want to win that cup back.

He added: “I’ve been scoring 30s and 40s in the league so now I just need to push on, get my head down and carry on, especially leading up to Cup Match.”