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Big hitter Blakeney doubtful for Eastern Counties clash

Bailey’s Bay batsman Glenn Blakeney is doubtful for his team’s upcoming Eastern Counties title defence against St David’s

The deputising St George’s’ wicketkeeper landed awkwardly on his knee while gathering a high return throw just moments before Somerset achieved a crushing ten wicket victory on home soil.When contacted about Blakeney’s health status, Bailey’s Bay executive Tareek Somner said: “We had a meeting last night and the last thing we know he is still on crutches so I doubt if he’s going to be available for this weekend.”Should Blakeney be unavailable for selection his valued services are sure to be a big miss at the top of Bay’s batting order.However, Somner downplayed Blakeney’s potential omission from the squad.“This is not really a setback and we’re confident we have other players that can step in and get the job done,” he said. “We wasn’t banking on having Glenn for county.“If he’s available then cool. But if he’s not then we will go with somebody else.”In last season’s Eastern Counties competition at Sea Breeze Oval, Blakeney smashed a record 218 against Flatts that bettered the previous record of 183 achieved by former Bay skipper Noel Gibbons against the same opponents at the same venue in 1985.He also shared in a record double-century (232 runs) partnership for the second wicket with fellow centurion Tre Manders (106) that surpassed the previous best of 173 achieved by St. David’s’ Calvin Richardson and Elliott Pitcher 50 years earlier.Bay were due to name their squad last night for Saturday’s clash against a St David’s side who they have dominated in recent times.The Sea Breeze Oval club are fresh off successive wins over the Islanders and will enter Saturday’s Counties commitment high on confidence.Bay thrashed St David’s by five wickets in last weekend’s Twenty20 final at Somerset Cricket Club before handing them a 76-run loss in league play two days later.Bay also beat St David’s earlier this season in the Belco Cup final at Lords.St David’s, meanwhile, are expected to name their squad tonight.Top all-rounder OJ Pitcher could possibly return from studies to bolster St David’s’ hopes of reclaiming the coveted trophy while fast bowler Stefan Kelly remains doubtful.One Islander already ruled out is veteran all-rounder Lionel Cann who is sticking by his decision not to play in Saturday’s clash.Cann severed ties with St David’s after publicly lashing out against team-mates who allegedly smoked marijuana in the dressing room prior to a league match at Lords.He insists that his decision to make himself unavailable has nothing to do with that incident, saying it would be “unfair” for him to play ahead of players who are performing well for the reigning Premier 50-over champions.Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether or not St David’s take any disciplinary action against spinner Delyone Borden.The former national team cricketer was included in St David’s’ team for last Sunday’s league clash with Bay but failed to turn up, leaving his team a man short.