THE good news for Commercial League bowlers is Lionel Cann will soon be back in the Premier Division.

The bad news, if you are a Western Stars bowler, is the dashing St. David's allrounder has set his sights on a return date of June 23 - the day the defending league champions take on Stars.

Cann hit a career-best 165 for the St. David's Commercial League team against North Village, a knock that beat his previous best knock of 137 against Police. It was also the highest score posted in the Commercial League, surpassing John McConnie's 149 not out 13 years ago.

Cann has not played for the St. David's Premier Division team this season as he is still trying to get fit following an operation five weeks ago to correct calcium deposits in a thigh. He said he has had the condition for a few years and because of the pain decided to get it operated on.

"I can't get back into the team at the moment," was Cann's way of explaining his absence from one St. David's team while appearing for another.

""I had the operation five weeks ago and I'm just getting back to normal. I just started full training in the last two weeks. The team is doing well and I'm not in full shape so I'm just playing Commercial until I get my spot back. I'm using that (Commercial) to make up the numbers and get some match practice."

St. David's have had their match on Sunday against Cleveland put back until September 14 because of the two-day St. David's Island Indian Reconnection festival at the cricket club. Their next match is against Western Stars the following weekend when one of the island's most explosive batsmen hopes to mark his return to the team.

Such is the strength of their squad that St. David's have hardly missed him, but certainly his return will bring experience to both the batting and bowling departments.

"We are very strong, we have a lot of youngsters in the team and a spot isn't guaranteed to anybody, no matter who you are," he stressed.

"I don't expect to just walk into the team - I'll just wait for my chance and when it comes I'll be back in. Clay and I are in contact and I've talked to Delby (Borden) who is in charge of the cricket and he knows where we're at."

North Village, for whom he once played in football, found Cann at his most brutal best as he plummeted their bowlers for 16 sixes and 12 fours

"I'm a little sore today but my leg is okay," said Cann said earlier this week.

"I'm not match-fit yet. I play year in and year out and I'm a competitor and nothing is going to change from what I've done over the years. I'm looking forward to getting back into the mix with the so-called big boys.

"My role is going to change this year. With all the youngsters I'm going to have to be more responsible, I'm not going to give my wicket away as often. I'm going to still be an aggressive player but be more selective and play more of a senior role."

Added Cann: "I'm looking forward to playing any sort of cricket right now. I didn't think I would be able to play at all this season, so it will be nice to come back and play a little bit."

The pressure will be Southampton Rangers to put the brakes on unbeaten Western Stars when they host them at Southampton Oval in the top match this weekend. Rangers handed St. David's their only loss this season and the prospect of being the first team to take points off Stars should certainly fire them up. In-form Rangers batsman Ricky Brangman will look forward to his meeting against his former team.

Rangers, because of their tour of England after Cup Match, have also had a match rescheduled. They will play Somerset for the second straight weekend when they host them at Southampton Oval on Saturday...the match having been brought forward from August 11.

The other two matches on Sunday see Bailey's Bay hosting Somerset at Sea Breeze Oval and St. George's taking on Flatts at Wellington Oval.

In the First Division, Police meet neighbours Devonshire Rec. at Police Field, Warwick are away to Social Club at St. John's Field and Western Counties rivals Willow Cuts and Somerset Bridge clash at Somerset.