member Lionel Cann.

The allrounder, who plays for St. David's, was conspicuous by his presence...as an umpire during Saturday's inter-squad match at Sea Breeze Oval.

This after the previous week witnessed Cann bowling just eight gentle overs of medium pace while being taken for 55 runs.

Cann has a history of groin problems relating to both soccer and cricket. He was unable to bowl for much of last season while playing overseas in Scotland and it is known that he has been receiving regular treatment from team physio Kevin Anderson for the same injury.

However, Bermuda coach Allan Douglas on Monday shot down reports that the ailment had flared again, insisting the player was in good health.

"It's not a problem, he's OK, he'll be back out training tonight (Monday),'' said Douglas, who has just under two weeks to complete fine tuning of the squad prior to their departure for Malaysia on March 15.

Cann earlier refused comment on his physical status, citing a gag order placed on players by Bermuda Cricket Board of Control which forbids them from speaking to the media.

Douglas also moved to allay concerns regarding the fitness of another Islander, Kameron Fox, whom he said was fully recovered from a mystery virus picked up during Bermuda's visit to Guyana for the Shell/Sandals tournament last October.

Fox, a valuable commodity as a left-arm, leg break bowler, at one time had little control over his body's motor functions, but has responded well to treatment in recent months.

"Kameron's OK,'' said Douglas matter of factly.

The ICC squad includes standby players Dexter Smith and Jason Simons, one or both of whom could be called up in case of injury to a current member.

Smith flourished after being drafted to replace Ricky Hill in 1994 when Kenya hosted the competition, going on to notch a Bermuda single tournament record of 392 runs.

Despite the injury rumours a good match evolved between an Albert Steede Select and one led by Clay Smith on the weekend.

Steede's side won by 17 runs, scoring 229 for eight in 45 overs and then bowling out Smith's for 212.

However, it was not a good day personally for the skipper, as he was out early for a duck to the bowling of paceman Kevin Hurdle.

Veteran middle order batsman Charlie Marshall led the scoring charge from the number five spot with a typically flamboyant 53 that included three fours and four sixes.

Backing up Marshall was youngster Jason Simons, who fell one short of a half century after surviving a confident appeal for a catch at backward square leg off Hurdle when on 10.

Also among the runs were number four Glenn Blakeney Jr. (34), Corey Hill (30) and Jermaine Postlethwaite (23).

Janeiro Tucker emerged as the top wicket-taker for the Smith Select, bagging three for 49 from nine overs of medium pace, while Hurdle (one for 37), Arnold Manders (one for 50), D.Govia (one for 16) and Smith (one for 37) shared the others.

Dean Minors and Dexter Smith got the Clay Smith XI off to a rousing start, showing little respect for the opening bowling tandem of Roger Blades and Anthony Braithwaite.

Smith was particularly dominant during the 39-run partnership, scorching a whirlwind 23 in some three overs, smashing two fours and two sixes before being bowled by Blades.

Carrying on were Minors and new partner Clay Smith, the pair adding 105 runs for the second wicket before being dislodged.

Again thrust into a support role, Minors totalled 36, while Smith counted eight fours and a six among his top score of 63.

Arnold Manders managed 33 and Tucker 16 before Marshall swept through the lower order, collecting four scalps and preserving victory for the Steede Select.

Marshall's 6.4 overs reaped four for 19, while Bruce Perinchief took two for 53 and Blades two for 31.

Coach Douglas expressed satisfaction at the performance of the two sides, who are scheduled to have one more inter-squad match on Saturday at the same venue.

"Things are going quite well and it really looks good for us right now,'' said Douglas. "I'm looking forward to including a few other guys from around the country that are already in training for their club teams to give the guys a good go.''