Southampton Rangers have forfeited their Twenty20 Premier Division match against Somerset Cricket Club tomorrow.

Rangers, who could win the T20 title when they meet Willow Cuts in last year’s final at Somerset today, will not be at full strength with captain Janeiro Tucker and Dion Stovell in action with the Bermuda team in Indianapolis.

They still have two other group B matches scheduled for May 23 against Bailey’s Bay and Cleveland County.

Warwick Workman’s Club, who were scheduled to meet Somerset Bridge and St George’s in two matches at Southampton Oval tomorrow, have again withdrawn from the competition.

Lionel Cann, who is entering his fourth season as coach of Warwick, is again concerned that exposing his young players to 20-over cricket may not be in the best interests of their development.

“I have all youngsters and don’t agree that they should be playing T20 cricket,” said Cann, who has taken the same stance the past two seasons. “

“I told the club how I feel about it and Lorenzo Tucker, who is the director of cricket had meetings with the BCB and told them that we don’t think it is beneficial for youngsters to play T20 cricket.

“All my young players are between 14 and 18 so are still at the development stage. In my first year at Warwick we were in the T20 because the team had some older guys.

“We did well but once we got young players and decided where we wanted to go we pulled out.”

“We still have a few years of development, they’re getting better but are still at the development stage.”

Cann is planning to play again this season and has made himself available for Cup Match.

“I’ll be playing again this year but my main focus is to coach Warwick’s youngsters during the next couple of years,” he said.

“I always said as long as I’m still good enough to make the team then I’ll continue to play.

“I haven’t retired from Cup Match, just the Bermuda team which takes up so much time and commitment.”

Warwick play the National Under-18 team in a Logic First Division match today at Southampton Oval.