all-rounder Lionel Cann to the senior national squad even though he has yet to complete a lengthy suspension.

The talented 23-year-old, who spent last season playing in Scotland with Arbroath Cricket Club, will be a part of the squad travelling on a five-game training tour of Guyana, starting on December 27.

Coach and chairman of the BCBC Selection committee Allan Douglas, however, felt their was nothing improper in the decision to reinstate Cann early.

Douglas emphasised that Cann had been one of the players under consideration as a replacement for Gregg Foggo, who became unavailable for the tour.

"We've waived his suspension by a week, it's no big problem nor is it a big deal,'' said Douglas. "He has become available as a result and that's that.'' Douglas said he hoped the matter would not be blown out of proportion nor viewed as controversial. The decision, he said, was made to benefit the player who had served the bulk of his penalty.

"We've got a lot happening next year as far as international commitments are concerned and we've got to concentrate on getting the players ready in more ways than one,'' added the coach.

Cann was penalised in June and banned from representing Bermuda until the end of the year after being found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute when he was allegedly disrespectful to Douglas while on tour of Barbados earlier this year.

The player said yesterday that he was pleased that the board had decided to let "bygones be bygones'' and noted that he was just as committed as any other player on the squad.

"I am very happy about being accepted back and thrilled to be given the chance to play for my country again,'' said Cann.

"I certainly will be challenging for selection in all of the international matches coming up.'' Cann said that he had served the bulk of his suspension and the time had come for Bermuda to look ahead and prepare the best team possible for the ICC Trophy.

"I am so committed that I have already made the decision to quit playing soccer for the rest of the season and concentrate on nothing but cricket,'' added Cann, who came on as a substitute for St. David's in a First Division soccer match as recently as last Sunday.

"I can see where coach Douglas is coming from when he insists that players in both sports will be asked to quit soccer when the team returns from Guyana. I have played both soccer and cricket for a while now, but cricket is my priority and I will do nothing else from now on.

"With so much excitement ahead of us, cricket is my life. There is no way you are going to accomplish anything without offering a total commitment. You have to sacrifice, you can't be totally, mentally prepared by playing both sports at a national level.'' Cann is also excited about being signed on for a second straight season by Arbroath.

But he said playing in Scotland would not hinder his international preparations, noting that if chosen for the Malaysian tournament, he would not travel to Scotland until the competition is over.