career! Marshall, on the international sidelines since the ICC Trophy in Malaysia more than 18 months ago when he had verbal exchanges with coach Allan Douglas and consultant Bob Simpson, has written a letter of apology to the Bermuda Cricket Board Control.

In the letter which Marshall hand-delivered on Tuesday, he informed the board of his availability for the Red Stripe Bowl and "apologised for any wrongdoings in the past''.

Marshall also wrote: "I have reflected on my past behaviour and would now like to have the opportunity to provide this team with what it needs from its senior players.

"This is a disciplined approached for both on and off the field, and someone to shoulder the responsibility of sustaining long innings. I believe that my exclusion from the training squad, however, has not been based on my cricketing ability.

"It is my hope that you, the board members, will appreciate my sincerity and will not hold any wrongdoings against me. Regretfully, I cannot change the past, yet I no longer want that sorry period to remain a blight on my reputation as a cricketer.'' And the board may be willing to forgive as BCBC president El James applauded Marshall's maturity over the matter and stated that the Bailey's Bay captain would be invited to train with the squad currently preparing for next month's trip to Guyana.

"I've asked Mr. (national coach Allan) Douglas to invite him to training based on final confirmation from the board,'' said James yesterday.

"He has matured enough to see the error of his ways, but also in his new-found wisdom he wants to set the record straight, as he says in his letter, and make a positive contribution.'' The new board, James reminds, has been determined to stamp out bad behaviour both domestically and internationally.

Marshall, who has not represented his country since the ICC Trophy in March 1997, was initially included in the training squad, but extracted when it was submitted to the board executives for approval.

Also extracted was his Bay team-mate Glenn Blakeney who last year went on record as saying he would not play again under Douglas until he was given a public apology as a result of the Malaysia fall-out.

"We're not here to crucify people, but we're looking for positive change,'' said the president.

"We definitely are not going to stand by and ignore bad bahaviour and bad attitudes. We're not going to tolerate it here in domestic cricket and we're definitely not going to export that behaviour to other countries, especially when we are paying their way.'' Marshall confirmed yesterday he had already received a phone call from Douglas inviting him to train with the squad. Marshall was the top batsman when Bermuda made its debut in the competition in 1996 and feels his experience could be vital to the youngsters.

"There are a shortage of senior players around and I think I'm basically at my peak and I know I can contribute a lot to the younger players who are picked for the tournament coming up,'' said the 37-year-old.

"I like playing with the young guys, they encourage me to do well because they all look up to me.

"When I was there in '96 I felt it was easy playing against those international players and I know that I can also contribute a lot if I'm chosen for this one coming up.'' CHARLIE MARSHALL -- Given the opportunity to right the wrongs of the past.