Log In

Reset Password
BERMUDA | RSS PODCAST

Fit-again Dill ready to face Devonshire

Bay skipper Cal Dill

Bailey’s Bay stalwart Cal (Patches) Dill has been declared fit to play in his team’s Belco Cup semi-final against Devonshire at Somerset Cricket Club today.The top order bat and part-time spinner missed Bay’s last two matches against Western Stars and Cleveland County through injury.Dill required three stitches in his left hand to close a wound he suffered attempting a sharp catch in the covers off the bat of Southampton Rangers player/coach Janeiro Tucker at Sea Breeze Oval during the opening round of the 2012 Premier 50 Over campaign.However, the veteran cricketer has made a full recovery and is looking forward to helping his team etch their name on the Belco Cup for the first time.“I am available for this weekend, the stitches are out and the hand feels good,” Dill said. “I had a hit in the nets, done some catching and bowling and it feels good ... I’m ready for the weekend.”Dill reckons Bay have a good chance of putting an end to their Belco Cup drought this year.“I feel we have a good chance and the team is coming together really well,” he said. “The vibe in training has been really good and the guys have been working really hard.”Today will see Bay face a Devonshire side that has fallen on tough times lately. Devonshire have been depleted by the loss of several key players and earlier this week lost the services of player/coach Ricky Brangman who resigned just days after his team suffered a crushing 318 run loss to Southampton Rangers in a 50 over match.Yet despite Devonshire’s hardships, Bay stalwart Dill has warned his team-mates not to take anything for granted against today’s opponents.“Devonshire might be going through problems but on the day cricket is played on the field so that’s where we have to play it,” he said. “Anything can happen in cricket and there are many ways to get out.“We have to go there with a positive mind and play positive cricket and at the end of the day try and come out on top. We feel confident but are not going to take anybody lightly.”Bay have also been bolstered by the additions of wicketkeeper Sinclair Smith and seam bowler David Bedard who have returned from studies abroad.Bedard, who joined the club at the beginning of the season from nearby Flatts, could share new ball duties with Kyle Hodsoll.“David has been bowling really well in the nets,” Dill said. “He’s looked really good in training with his line and length and bowling with a little bit of pace.”Dill reckons Bay have the firepower in their batting arsenal to get the job done over the weekend.“I think we are pretty solid in our batting with Sinclair and myself coming back in the team,” he said.Still missing from Bay’s ranks are the likes of stalwart Irving Romaine (suspended), Jim West (injured) and Terryn Fray (school commitments).Meanwhile, today’s other Belco Cup semi -final will see St David’s and Willow Cuts do battle for the second time in less than a week at Lords.Last weekend saw Cuts prevail by four- wickets against the Islanders in a 50 over affair at Somerset Cricket Club.However, since then St David’s have been bolstered by the addition of top all-rounder OJ Pitcher who has returned from studies abroad to aid in his club’s quest for Belco Cup supremacy.Last year’s Belco Cup champions Rangers did not qualify for this year’s tournament which only features the top four teams in the Premier Division from the previous season.All matches are 50 over affairs to get underway at 11am.Lords will host tomorrow’s final.