The fate of national team cricketer Lionel Cann remained up in the air last night after Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) officials met with the player on Wednesday night to discuss discrepancies regarding the top all-rounder's salary compensation.

According to sources, the hard-hitting batsman had sought additional compensation for a part-time job early last month after the Board decided to do away with the national team cricketers' monthly retainer's fee.

Phone calls reportedly made by the Board to the player's part-time employers confirmed that he was in fact employed by them, but had been absent for several months.

This in turn fuelled suspicions that Cann might have been attempting to fraudulently obtain additional money from the Board.

However, both the Board and Cann refused to comment on the issue yesterday, although it is understood the investigation is continuing and a statement will be released when it is complete.

"Matters relating to player's contracts and payments to players are internal to the BCB and are between the BCB and its players," read a statement sent to from local cricket's governing body.

The veteran cricketer is presently employed at Saltus Grammar School and also at a small private construction firm.

Under the Board's disputed pay agreement for contracted national team cricketers, all players weekly full-time job earnings are compensated for by local cricket's governing body.

If the allegations against Cann are proven to be true, he could become the second national team played to be axed from the squad in the past week.

Last week saw St.David's fast bowler George O'Brien jr booted out of the national programme for breaking probation conditions laid down last July following a training exercise in Antigua where the fiery bowler landed himself in hot water.

Permanent Secretary for Labour and Home Affairs Robert Horton confirmed yesterday that national team player Saleem Mukuddem does in fact hold a valid work permit.

Horton's confirmation put to rest rumours that the top all rounder had returned to his native South Africa last week because he no longer possessed a valid Bermuda permit enabling him to remain a member of the Island's national cricket team.

"Mr. Mukuddem does hold a valid Bermuda work permit as an employee of local accounting firm, Accounting Solutions," Horton told last night.

"In addition, Mr. Mukuddem also has the Minister's (Derrick Burgess) permission to receive remuneration as a member of Bermuda's national cricket team."

In accordance with local immigration policy, any individual employed in Bermuda on a work permit must be granted "special permission" or approval from the Minister in principle in order to receive remuneration for any other activity.

And according to Horton, this process was undertaken by Bermuda Cricket Board acting on behalf of Mukuddem ? also a member of the Board's technical committee.

Mukuddem, meanwhile, is due to rejoin the national team when they arrive in Kenya next month.

The chartered accountant rose to local cricket stardom overnight in 2003 representing Somerset Cricket Club when he broke Charlie Marshall's 23-year-old colt's record for the highest individual score (106 not out) in Cup Match.

A two-time Cup Match MVP, Mukuddem then followed up that performance the next year by scoring an unbeaten 160 ? the fourth highest individual score by a batsman in the 104-year history of the annual classic.

He was also a member of Bermuda's World Cup qualifying team in 2005 and has been a regular in the national team since.