St.George's Cricket Club player Sinclair Gibbons has seemingly had a change of heart.

Last season the east ender received a one-year ban from the BCB for his part during a brief skirmish with St.David's player Phillip Pitcher.

Pitcher walked away unscathed at the BCB disciplinary hearing, however, Gibbons was slapped with a one year suspension.

Gibbons then publicly vented his frustration with the board, accusing BCB officials of being nothing more than a bunch of "educated fools" and of operating a "kangaroo court" only a day after receiving the lengthy ban.

The player also threatened to quit the sport and insisted that it was Pitcher, and not he, who really ignited the well publicised skirmish that unfolded at Wellington Oval.

However, the The Royal Gazette learned yesterday that Gibbons had successfully won an appeal over the disciplinary committee's final ruling and had his stern punishment reduced to six months - a time period he he has already served.

Gibbons suited up for St.George's over the weekend as the east enders began their season on a high note following triumphs over Southampton on Saturday and St.David's the following day. The player is now understood to be on a six month probation which ends on July 22.

"Gibbons had his suspension reduced to six months which is now effectively completed," confirmed a BCB spokesperson yesterday. "But he is still on probation until July 22, 2003. He appealed his case within the required time limit following the hearing and was successful in his attempt."

Gibbons held onto one catch on Saturday against Southampton and scored a valuable 30 runs during St.George's' controversial one run win over St.David's at Lord's the following day.

Meanwhile, it may not be on the same lines or as glamorous as a post season awards ceremony but it's definitely a step in the right direction.

That's in reference to Bermuda Cricket Board's new weekly BTC Player of the Week award incentive for local cricketers which was launched yesterday.

The new award comes only days after Western Stars batsman Jermaine Postlethwaite publicly slammed the Board for showing little interest toward the achievements of local players.

Last week, Postlethwaite told TheRoyal Gazette: "Players sacrifice their spare time to play cricket week in and week out, yet their efforts go by largely unnoticed."

However, at least for now, there's a little flicker of light at the end of the tunnel for local players to strive for.

The weekly winner of the award will be aired on ZBM radio each Thursday and at the conclusion of the season both a cash award and a trophy will be presented to the most outstanding cricketer of the year.

"We are very pleased and excited to have BTC as our exclusive sponsor for the Cricketer of the Week programme," said a BCB spokesperson yesterday.

"With cricket being a huge part of the fabric in Bermudian society and BTC touching every home in Bermuda, it's a natural marriage - we look forward with excitement to each week's successful recipient of the award."