St. David's captain Lionel Cann has admitted he can no longer get motivated for 'sub-standard' Premier Division cricket – and will play in the Commercial League instead.

The 36-year-old batsman blasted 41 runs for St. David's' Commercial League team at the weekend and has no plans to return to the top flight other than for County matches and possibly Cup Match.

Cann, who quit the international stage after Bermuda's ill-fated World Cup qualifying campaign in South Africa, said he wanted to reclaim his life from the Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) after playing non-stop for 23 seasons.

"I've become tired of it, don't enjoy it and just can't motivate myself to play senior cricket at the moment," said Cann. "The standard in Bermuda is so low now and I don't find it fun anymore.

"I will be playing in the Commercial League this season but I don't expect to be playing much senior cricket at all. I've been playing for 23 straight seasons and you start to feel like Bermuda Cricket Board owns your life. I want mine back again."

For now, Cann will enjoy some stress-free Commercial League knockabouts for his beloved St. David's and reckons he has earned the right for a self-imposed hiatus from the senior level.

But he will return to the crease for the more prestigious County matches and has left the door ajar for a Cup Match call-up for St.George's, who he has skippered at recent annual classics.

"I want some time to myself. I want to be able to have a lie-in until 1 p.m. if I fancy it and don't want to commit myself to playing week-in week-out for St. David's," said the former 2007 World Cup player.

"It's not a big deal. Australia's skipper Ricky Ponting is taking a little break from the game and it's not unusual for a player to want some time off. I'd never play for anyone else other than St. David's as they made me the player I am.

"I'm certainly not eliminating myself from anything and still plan to play County matches. Cup Match is a long way down the line but I would not rule it out."

The aggressive big-hitter was arguably the biggest disappointment in South Africa for Bermuda, failing to continue the sparkling form he displayed coming into the qualifiers. He scored just 66 runs at an average of 16.50 and announced his retirement after the tournament along with Dwayne Leverock and Janeiro Tucker.

Cann conceded that the constant touring with the national team had taken its toll on him both physically and mentally and he was tired of spending so much time away from his family.

"I've just come off a rigorous World Cup qualifying campaign for the Bermuda national team and spent a lot of time away from my family. Plus, it's kind of difficult to filter back into the domestic level. Of course, I may find I miss playing so much that I just have to return and in that case I'll be back if my team needs me."

Bermuda international OJ Picther will replace Cann as St. David's captain for the Premier Division matches when he returns from overseas education.

n Full Commercial Division round-up, see Page 22.