Injury has robbed St. George's of a top all-rounder for their cricket match against the touring Australians this week.

Club president Mansfield Smith confirmed that Lionel Cann has withdrawn from the opening tour game because of injury and his place will be taken by Gregory Sampson who will open the batting with Eugene Foggo. That leaves the team with just four players who took part in last year's Cup Match.

"The bowling is still strong, even without Lionel Cann,'' said Smith, in reference to a batsman replacing a bowler.

"I don't think the team is as strong in the batting without Clay (Smith), Dexter (Smith) and and Dean (Minors), three who are hard to replace. But we've brought in quality players.'' Smith is pleased with the strike bowling pair of Anthony Braithwaite and Dale Fox who get their chancen because of the unavailability of Kenny Phillip and Clarkie Trott.

"I think Braithwaite is one of the better strike bowlers in Bermuda,'' said Smith. "On any given day he can be a match winner. Bringing in Braithwaite and Dale keeps the attack strong.'' The last time they were here, Australia were the champions of the one-day game, though the St. George's Cup Match XI came close to recording a memorable victory before going down by 18 runs in a low scoring match at Wellington Oval.

Four years later the Australians return to these shores as unoffical world champions after beating the West Indies in the recently concluded Test series in the Caribbean -- the first series loss for the West Indians in 15 years and the first at home in 22.