English club Halesowen this summer.

Gibbons cited personal reasons for his decision to stay in Bermuda, though the Birmingham League Conference club had earlier told him he could not be retained.

"They had a fire at the club about a month ago and they couldn't let me know about my situation until the insurance was sorted out,'' he said. "I was about to call them anyway because I have a few more important things that I want to do here, and with my father passing away it made things harder.'' Gibbons, 38, enjoyed a highly successful first year with Halesowen and attracted attention from nearby Smethwick who offered him a contract for this season. He even made plans to take promising Bailey's Bay youngster Glenn Smith back to England with him this year.

But a return to Halesowen was out of the question after the fire damage was estimated at 114,000 and their insurance only covered 75 percent of the cost.

"There are things I can only get sorted out while staying home,'' he added.

"As far as cricket is concerned my concentration will have to be on Bailey's Bay's season and helping Bermuda qualify in Kenya.'' Gibbons' decision was confirmed yesterday morning when Smethwick, after waiting for some time for an answer, informed him that an Englishman had been found to be their 1993 professional.

Spectators will be charged $5 to view the Western Stars v Social Club first-round match on Saturday, the Central Counties Cricket Association said yesterday.