Lionel Cann pulls out from national squad

Lionel Cann, the Bermuda batsman, has pulled out of the national squad, which is currently in training, citing personal and family commitments.

The Bermuda Sun newspaper reported that Cann, who has played 22 ODIs, wrote to the chairman of selectors for the Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) explaining his withdrawal from the team. "Due to personal and family commitments I must decline the invitation to train with the senior national team. As a senior member, I know the sacrifice it takes to play at the highest level. At this particular time I am not able to meet those requirements."

Cann also told the Bermuda Sun that he was not retiring. "This is temporary. It's not retirement. I'll reassess in a few month's time." He said that his decision had nothing to do with his suspension from two ODIs for dissent.

While stating that becoming captain was one of his ambitions, he denied that the recent appointment of 20-year-old Rodney Trott as vice-captain of the national team influenced his decision. "The vice-captaincy is there for experience.The vice-captaincy isn't what I want or is anything I was looking forward to anyway," he said.

Meanwhile, the Gazette newspaper said the turnout for training sessions had been poor. Of the 23 players selected for the senior squad, just six turned up for the first day's training on Monday, seven on Tuesday, and 10 on Wednesday. "We have been trying to track down the guys who haven't shown up," said Bermuda's coach Gus Logie.