Overlooked for the ICC Trophy tournament in March because of a suspected leg injury, all-rounder Lionel Cann will make a celebrated return to the Bermuda national team in the Red Stripe Bowl next weekend in Jamaica.

The 24-year-old St. David's player insists there are no sour grapes over his controversial dropping, although at the time he vehemently denied claims by the then Bermuda Cricket Board of Control administration that he was unfit for the rigorous tour of Malaysia.

"To be recalled to the team is great,'' said Cann who last played for Bermuda in October, 1996, after serving a ban for showing up late for a game during a tour of Barbados.

And he vowed that he would hold onto his place for some time to come, claiming that young all-rounders like himself were scarce on the Island.

"I honestly feel that I will be holding down one of the key positions in the Bermuda national team for the next 10 years, especially now that some of the older all-rounders like Noel Gibbons and Clevie Wade are out of the reckoning,'' said Cann.

Since being dropped by Bermuda, the normally outspoken Cann has remained unusually quiet, instead concentrating on his cricket both in Scotland -- where he played most of the summer with Clarence Parfitt's Arbroath -- and in Bermuda where he returned prior to Cup Match to play for St. George's in the mid-summer classic and eventually with his club side St. David's.

But he can't hide the fact that memories of being left out of the ICC Trophy squad still haunt him.

"Of course, I am still bothered by it a little,'' he said. "I was left out supposedly because of an injury, but I always felt at the time that I was in good physical shape to make the trip. I thought I could have played well for my country, but I didn't get the chance.

"However, to be recalled to the squad now for this tournament is great, especially after going to Scotland and then catching all of the criticism from people over there for coming back to play for my country. I think it's a great achievement.'' Cann was referring to the controversy surrounding his sudden departure from Arbroath when he returned home for Cup Match with the club reportedly believing he would be rejoining them later in the season.

He decided to stay in Bermuda, preferring to train with the national squad for the Red Stripe Bowl.

Of his recall, he said: "I wasn't surprised at all, not after the type of year I have had both here and overseas. I have played well since coming back, being a part of the winning Cup Match side and helping St. David's to win the Eastern Counties Cup and the First Division title.'' Cann doesn't know how he will be used by skipper Arnold Manders in Jamaica, but promises to make whatever adjustments are necessary.

"I batted at number four for St. David's the last two months, I opened a lot in Scotland and I batted at number four in Cup Match. I feel I am more or less versatile and able to bat anywhere from one to eleven. In certain situations I am very aggressive, and other times I can play a supporting role if need be.'' And though Cann hasn't done anything remarkable with the ball this season, he expects to be called on often in Jamaica.

"My bowling has been pretty good. But it's just that I have been asked to bat more this season, mainly because our early bowlers at St. David's have been doing well. In Jamaica it may be different, I could be one of the key guys.'' Cann's best batting performance this season was the 79 he struck against Southampton Rangers while his best bowling analysis was a modest four for 34 against Hamilton Parish.

"I am going with high expectations,'' he added. "I feel like I am one of the senior players these days, one who is being counted on to perform at a high level and I know I will.

"I think we have a good team, but it's important for us to get that positive feeling which is to believe that we are as good as anybody. We've got to believe in ourselves.''