Dear Sir,

According to Wikipedia, the free online encyclopaedia, in cricket a 'slogger' refers to a batsman who possesses an attacking mindset and has the intention of scoring runs on every delivery.

Known for their high strike rate and big hitting, it stands to reason that these types of players are susceptible to low scores due to their excessive attacking stroke play. The term is also occasionally used in a disparaging way to describe a batsman who lacks the technique and temperament to build an innings.

On more that one occasion I have heard individuals refer to Bermuda international Lionel Cann as a slogger. Without question Cann is by nature an aggressive batsman, anyone who has seen him in action would attest to that.

But any opponent who writes the St. George's Cup Match captain off as just another 'slogger' does so at his own peril. For though he can be overly aggressive, Lionel can bat responsibly as well.

I have witnessed this for myself. I can recall watching St. David's play Southampton in a match a number of years ago. Southampton had scored just under 200 runs and had the East Enders tottering at 40 for four when Cann walked out to bat. As he descended the stairs from the top balcony of the club I suggested he bat properly.

Cann thereafter played the perfect innings, he got his sight in, worked the ball around, ran well between the wicket and in no time he had completed his fifty without a single six to his name.

Finally, whether you consider him a batsman or a slogger, there can be no doubt as to how effective he can be. He top scored in the annual Cup Match classic with 99. In his role as 'the finisher' he was a key factor in helping Bermuda qualify for the last World Cup and in the recently concluded ICC Americas competition he outscored every other Bermuda batsmen, finishing with a total aggregate of 306 runs. Interestingly the combined aggregate of the five players who attended the Australian Academy was 229 ¿ I wonder what Dexter Smith has to say now!!!

RECMAN